The USDA said it imposed sanctions on nine produce businesses for failure to meet contract obligations of produce sellers and for failure to pay reparations under the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act.
The USDA said it suspended the businesses’ PACA licenses and bars the principal operator from working for or in a PACA-licensed business without USDA approval.
These businesses include, according to a news release:
- AAA American Select Produce, operating out of Miami, for failing to pay $9,975 to a Texas seller. The USDA listed Irka Diaz and Osmani O. Mursuli as members and managers of the business.
- Always Fresco, operating out of McAllen, Texas, for failing to pay $40,885 to a Minnesota seller. The USDA listed Guadalupe Quintanilla Jr. and Edgar Rios as managers of the business.
- West Pacific Orchard, operating out of San Antonio, for failing to pay $59,800 to a California seller. The USDA listed Jose Luis Ruiz as the manager of the business.
- Real Value Sales, operating out of Nogales, Ariz., for failing to pay $13,098 to an Arizona seller. The USDA listed Eddie Valencia and Irene Valencia as the officers, directors and major shareholders of the business.
- Planters Produce, operating out of Port St. Lucie, Fla., for failing to pay an $89,120 to a Texas seller. The USDA listed Herman Oneal as the sole officer, director and stockholder of the business.
- Fresh Produce Market, operating out of Brooklyn, N.Y., for failing to pay a $19,378 to a New York seller. The USDA listed Solomon Bondo as the sole officer, director and stockholder of the business.
- Fernando Acevedo Jr., doing business as La Familia Produce and operating out of Nogales, Ariz., for failing to pay $310,518 to a Texas seller. The USDA listed Acevedo as the sole proprietor of the business.
- Arturo Hernandez doing business as The Avo King and operating out of Camarillo, Calif., for failing to pay $41,525 to a Texas seller. The USDA listed Hernandez as the sole proprietor of the business.
- Susan Gilbert doing business as Flagler Palm Coast Farmers Market and operating out of Ormond Beach, Fla., for failing to pay a $43,501 to a Florida seller. The USDA listed Gilbert as the sole proprietor of the business.
