USDA sanctions five PACA violators
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has slapped sanctions on five produce companies for not paying Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act reparation awards.
The following businesses and responsibly connected individuals are currently restricted from operating in the industry, according to a news release:
> Alpha Omega Produce Inc., Wellington, Fla., for failing to pay a $28,177 award in favor of a Tennessee seller. Marco A. Spataro was listed as the officer, director and major stockholder of the business.
> Jose D. Pena Tamez, doing business as Pena Bros. Produce Distribution, Dandridge, Tenn., for failing to pay a $10,577 award in favor of a Florida seller. Jose D. Pena Tamez was listed as the sole proprietor of the business. Pena Bros. Produce Distriution is described as a produce trucking business based in Houston on Quick Transport Solutions’ website.
> Veracity Produce LLC, San Antonio, for failing to pay a $23,816 award in favor of a Colorado seller. Andrew Blakeman and Ramiro Ruiz, Jr., were listed as members of the business.
> Border Produce Services LLC, McAllen, Texas, for failing to pay a $2,460 award in favor of a California seller. Arturo J. Garcia was listed as a member of the business. Border Produce Services lists jalapeno, serrano and poblano peppers and tomatillos as examples of produce it distributes to clients, according to a listing on the Prezi website.
> Azteca International Produce LLC, McAllen, Texas, for failing to pay an $83,396 award in favor of a Texas seller. Luc Delorme was listed as a member of the business. Another principal of the business at the time of the order was Hilda Rivera, but she has challenged her responsibly connected status.
