USDA pursues $19 million PACA complaint against NORPAC
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has filed a Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act complaint of $19 million against North Pacific Canners and Packers Inc., doing business as NORPAC Foods Inc.
The Stayton, Ore.-based processor filed for bankruptcy in 2019. According to a USDA news release, NORPAC allegedly failed to pay 145 produce sellers $19.13 million for product from June 2019 to June 2020.
The company can request a hearing. If the USDA finds the company committed repeated PACA violations, it can bar the company 3 years, or two years with an approved surety bond. “Responsibly connected” principals can be banned from employment by and affiliation with the company.
The company is selling its properties. According to the Statesman Journal, Salem, a bankruptcy court judge has approved the sale of NORPAC’s Salem, Brooks and Stayton facilities in Oregon to Lineage Logistics.
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