The USDA has imposed sanctions on US Fresh Corp. (US Fresh), Bronx, N.Y., for violating the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act.
These sanctions include barring the business and the principal operators of the business from engaging in PACA-licensed business or other activities without approval from USDA, according to a news release.
US Fresh failed to pay $952,319 to 38 sellers for produce that was purchased, received and accepted in interstate and foreign commerce from April 2021 to April 2022, according to the release. US Fresh cannot operate in the produce industry until Aug. 28, 2025, and then only after it applies for and is issued a new PACA license by USDA.
The company’s principal, Gonzalo Jaramillo, may not be employed by or affiliated with any PACA licensee until Aug. 28, 2024, and then only with the posting of a USDA-approved surety bond, the USDA said.
For further information, contact Corey Elliott, chief of the Investigative Enforcement Branch, at 202-720-6873 or PACAInvestigations@usda.gov.
