The USDA has issued sanctions on two produce businesses for failing to meet contractual obligations under the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act.
The sanctions include suspending the businesses’ PACA licenses and barring the principal operators of the businesses from engaging in PACA-licensed business or other activities without approval from USDA, according to a news release.
The release said the following businesses and individuals are currently restricted from operating in the produce industry:
- South Side Fresh Produce LLC, operating out of Forest Park, Ga., for failing to pay a $6,800 award in favor of a Minnesota seller. As of the issuance date of the reparation order, Pedro Consuelo Salinas and Pascual Avitia Sr., were listed as members of the business.
- All Fresh Farms LLC, operating out of Tifton, Ga., for failing to pay a $43,070 award in favor of an Arizona seller. As of the issuance date of the reparation order, Bobby J. Pettiford was listed as the member and manager of the business.
The USDA said that, by issuing the penalties, it continues to enforce the prompt and full payment for produce while protecting the rights of sellers and buyers in the marketplace.
For more information, contact Penny Robinson-Landrigan, chief of the Dispute Resolution Branch, at 202-720-2890 or PACAdispute@usda.gov.
