The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s PACA division has filed an administrative complaint under the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act against Farmers Best of NYC Inc.
This is not the first time USDA has taken action against the Brooklyn, N.Y., firm. In July, the agency sanctioned Farmers Best of NYC for failing to pay a $35,302 award in favor of an Arizona seller, with Evenaim Eran listed as the responsibly connected individual.
MORE: USDA sanctions four companies for PACA debt
Under the current complaint, the company allegedly failed to make payment to 11 produce sellers in the amount of $610,686 from February 2016 through October 2016, according to a news release.
One of the companies Farmers Best of NYC failed to pay was J&R Fresh Produce LLC, according to online court documents, and J&R Fresh is now also in trouble under PACA for failing to pay for more than $280,000 worth of produce.
MORE: USDA cites J&R Fresh Produce for PACA debt
Farmers Best of NYC can request a hearing with the USDA, but if the agency rules that the company violated the PACA, Farmers Best of NYC would be barred from the produce industry for two years. Eran would be shut out from employment with any PACA licensee for a year, following which any employment would have to be accompanied with a USDA-approved surety bond.
