A selection of published stories and recent awards.
Accountability
Deadly Work for High-End Poultry: This Fresno Bee investigation looks at the workplace deaths and injury rates at facilities owned by the makers of Mary’s Chicken, a popular line of humanely-raised, free-range poultry. The company’s processing plant has a higher rate of injuries compared to similarly sized processors nationwide. February 2024
‘Unprecedented’ lawsuit could roll back farmworker union wins from 2023 California law
A story for The Sacramento Bee co-reported with Mathew Miranda that explains what’s at stake with the Wonderful Co.’s lawsuit against the state of California over expanded labor protections. July 2024
Ag groups spend millions on ads to discourage California farmworker unionizing. What to know
A story for The Sacramento Bee co-reported with Mathew Miranda that explores how the ag industry is responding to a 2023 law making it easier for farmworkers to vote in union elections. April 2024
‘Disturbing’ force used at Fresno homeless shelters by private security. Here’s what happened
Investigation for the Fresno Bee into allegations of use of force and lack of oversight of a private security company operating at city-owned homeless shelters. February 2024
Agriculture, food industry & farmworkers
Farmworker who labored in extreme California heat died. Family, advocates seeking answers
Story for the Fresno Bee about a farmworker’s heat-related workplace death in California’s Central San Joaquin Valley.
Worker who drowned at Fresno-area poultry plant remembered as ‘a great human being’
Memorial story in the Fresno Bee/Fresnoland about an immigrant, Mexican worker who died in an “industrial accident.” Cal/OSHA is investigating.
California’s ‘most disadvantaged’ workers have widespread chronic health issues, study finds
Co-byline on Fresno Bee story on the largest-ever study of farmworker health and workplace outcomes, conducted by UC Merced Community & Labor Center.
New farming project ‘revolutionary’ for food access in this Fresno community
Fresno Bee/Fresnoland story about how Black farmers in west Fresno are working on the first community-supported agriculture project for a historically redlined community that still struggles with food access.
Farmworkers will march 335 miles through California’s Central Valley. Here’s why
Co-byline on Fresno Bee/Sacramento Bee story about historic farmworker march to Sacramento to raise support for farmworker union election bill.
Another Dust Bowl? How this California farmworker city plans on surviving historic drought
A Fresno Bee/Fresnoland story centered on the farmworker experience after years of drought and record heat. Plus, how one Central Valley farmworker city is trying to adapt its economy to climate change.
Indigenous Food Sovereignty Movements Are Taking Back Ancestral Land
Feature piece for Civil Eats on tribal efforts to reclaim and restore ancestral lands for tribal food security and health across the United States.
Neftalí Durán is Using Indigenous Wisdom to Educate Eaters and Address Inequity
Interview for Civil Eats with Indigenous food activist, Neftalí Durán, discussing the impact of COVID on food security and SNAP recipients, as well as ideas on how to improve the food system.
Food culture & business
Handmade flour tortillas are secret to decades-loyal customers at this Fresno eatery
The burritos served at Adrian’s Mexican Food were inspired by the founders’ experience as migrant farmworkers following the crops before settling in Fresno.
Fresno business serves free food with each round of drinks. ‘Just like the ones in Mexico’
Story in the Fresno Bee story about how immigrants from the Mexican state of Nayarit bring their culinary traditions to the Central Valley.
Fresno’s street food vendors surge post-COVID. What’s driving that ‘hustler spirit’
Story highlighting new microentrepreneurs in the city of Fresno, their challenges and the regulatory environment they face.
On Death, Love and Lobsters: Eating in Puerto Nuevo to Remember My Abuelo
Personal essay on Mexican-American family tradition, cultural identity, and loss for L.A. Taco.
The Strange Food World of Mexican Cantinas
Creative food story on botanas, or appetizers, found in Mexican cantinas for Dinner Bell Magazine, featuring original art from Mexican artist, Andrea Caboara.
These Central Valley Latina ‘foodpreneurs’ say culture is their ‘superpower’ for success
A Fresno Bee story for Hispanic Heritage Month highlighting local Latina entrepreneurs creating food businesses.
Queer Fresno man brings Mexican baking to life in new cookbook. Some call it ‘pastry disco’
A profile on Esteban Castillo, creator of Chicano Eats & Chicano Bakes for the Fresno Bee.
Culture & community
While Hollywood had the Sunset Strip, East L.A. had the Latin Strip
Historical piece on an underreported area of East L.A.’s live music scene for L.A. Taco, a “hyper-local,” James Beard Award-winning publication.
‘La Raza Likes to Dance:’ Remembering When Underground Disco Parties Exploded In L.A.’s Eastside In the 70s
A look into the great East L.A. community’s love of disco music, culture for L.A. Taco, a “hyper-local,” James Beard Award-winning publication.
‘We have waited too long.’ Will Fresno-area ‘renaissance’ bring growth residents want?
Fresno Bee/Fresnoland story exploring city business and planning decisions that are shaping the changes of a Fresno neighborhood.
Awards
• California News Publishers Association 2024 First Prize in Investigative Reporting, Division 2
• 2025 George F. Gruner Award for Public Service
• Nominee, 2025 James Beard Foundation Media Award for Investigative Reporting
Society of Professional Journalists, Northern California chapter 2025 James Madison Freedom of Information Awards for nine-month investigation into workplace death of Jesus Salazar at Pitman Family Farms poultry processing plant (Mary’s Chicken).
California News Publishers Association 2023 First Prize in Investigative Reporting for stories that revealed abuses at homeless shelters
California News Publishers Association 2023 First Prize in Investigative Reporting Open Category (across divisions)
Los Angeles Press Club Award 2024, First Prize in Business Reporting (Print – Any Outlet)
Bernard J. Wolfson, Melissa Montalvo, KFF Health News/The Fresno Bee, “Giant Health System
Almost Saved a Community Hospital. Now, It Wants to ‘Extract Every Dollar.’”
Judges’ comment: The sort of story that leaves you fearful of the future of healthcare. The fear is
justified. This story is a nightmare come true for any news audience.
McClatchy Mosaic Award for Outstanding LGBTQ+ Reporting, December 2023 – Lifestyle/Culture winner for Tier II papers for excellent feature on the realities of coming out in Fresno in the Latino community. “Coming out in Fresno: For queer Latinos, supportive families are ‘bigger than everything’”
McClatchy Mosaic Award for Outstanding LGBTQ+ Reporting, December 2023 – Lifestyle/Culture winner for Tier III papers for translated story in Vida en el Valle: Jóvenes de CA dicen que políticas sobre revelar transexualidad amenazan su seguridad (English version here)
Report for America Local News Awards May 2023, First Place Investigative Writing for investigation into the disturbing use of force by security guards in homeless shelters
Melissa Montalvo 