USDA files actions against PACA violators
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has filed administrative actions under the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act against two produce wholesalers, one in New York and one in the St. Louis area.
Lucas Trading Company LLC, St. Charles, Mo., allegedly failed to make full payment to 18 produce sellers in the amount of $656,325 from May 2015 through September 2016, according to a news release.
The company was sanctioned by the USDA in December for for failing to pay a $50,522 award in favor of a California seller. Charles Lucas was listed as a member of the business.
Fresh Growers Direct, Brooklyn, N.Y., allegedly failed to make full payment to five produce sellers in the amount of $244,508 from August 2015 through June 2016, according to a news release..
The company was also sanctioned in December for failing to pay a $31,604 award in favor of a California seller. Yusufov Yuval was listed as the business’ responsibly connected individual.
Each of the companies may request a hearing, but if USDA finds the company to have violated the PACA, it would be barred from the produce industry for two years and its principals could not be employed by any PACA licensee for a year.
