USDA files action against California, Texas and Colorado businesses for $800K PACA violations
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has filed an administrative complaint against JJD Produce LLC, Produce and More Enterprise LLC and Lucero Produce LLC for alleged violations of the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act.
JJD Produce, operating from California, allegedly failed to make payment promptly to nine produce sellers in the amount of $458,339 from December 2021 through November 2022.
Produce and More Enterprise LLC, operating from Texas, allegedly failed to make payment promptly to seven produce sellers in the amount of $213,944 from December 2021 through February 2023.
Lucero Produce LLC, operating from Colorado, allegedly failed to make payment promptly to 14 produce sellers in the amount of $126,626 from June 2022 through September 2022.
The companies will each have an opportunity to request a hearing. Should USDA find that they committed repeated and flagrant violations, they would be barred from the produce industry as a licensee for three years, or two years with the posting of a USDA-approved surety bond. Furthermore, company principals could not be employed by or affiliated with any PACA licensee for two years, or one year with the posting of a USDA-approved surety bond.
