USDA sanctions companies for failing to pay PACA awards

The U.S. Department of Agriculture is restricting nine businesses from operating in the produce industry for failing to repay debts as ordered through the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act.

526C01C3-9763-4F2E-85532FC08F89BCC1.png
526C01C3-9763-4F2E-85532FC08F89BCC1.png
(File photo)

The U.S. Department of Agriculture is restricting nine businesses from operating in the produce industry for failing to repay debts as ordered through the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act.

The companies, according to a USDA news release, are:

  • Academy Fruit Company LLC, Clovis, Calif., for not paying $104,195 to a California seller. Jayson Paul Scarborough was listed a member or manager of the business.
  • Chefd Inc., El Segundo, Calif., for not paying $91,439 to a New York seller. Emily Waldorf, Peter Boyes, Lawrence Perkins and Jason Ackerman were listed as the officers, directors and/or major stockholders of the business.
  • OKA Group LLC, Doral, Fla., for not paying $44,526 to a Florida seller. Yesmin Rodriguez was listed a member/manager of the business.
  • Countryland Farms LLC, Nashville, Ga., for not paying $4,075 to a Texas seller. Gary Barfield was listed a member or manager of the business.
  • Golden Horse LLC, Secaucus, N.J., for not paying $6,910 to an Illinois seller. Oi Cheng and Kong Cheng were listed a members or managers of the business.
  • MLC Berries Inc., Los Angeles, for not paying $39,099 to an Oregon seller. Miguel Campos was listed as the officer, director and/or major stockholder of the business.
  • Nile Food Importing Corp., Brooklyn, N.Y., for not paying $5,600 to a California seller. Mohamed Elsehetry was listed as the officer, director and/or major stockholder of the business.
  • Old West Export Inc., Visalia, Calif., for not paying $187,393 to a California seller. Frances Murillo and Dave Muse were listed as the officers, directors and/or major stockholders of the business.
  • Peerless Enterprises Inc., Gainesville, Fla., for not paying $6,440 to a Florida seller. Eric Pleiman was listed as the officer, director and/or major stockholder of the business.
The Packer logo (567x120)
Related Stories
The strategic transition marks a significant step forward in Thx!’s mission to prove that doing good is good business, while unlocking new opportunities for brands, retailers and consumers to create meaningful impact.
As Mexico evolves from a high-volume supplier to a strategic powerhouse, exporting $18 billion in fresh fruits and vegetables globally, IFPA’s Jessica Keller reveals why the country matters to the produce industry now more than ever.
USDA expects to announce payment rates for its $1B specialty crop aid in a few weeks after closing acreage reporting, which will determine how relief is distributed across eligible crops.
Read Next
Last week’s Canadian Produce Marketing Association Convention and Trade Show proved once and for all that produce has moved from commodities to lifestyle brands consumers will clamor for.
Get Daily News
GET MARKET ALERTS
Get News & Markets App