USDA restricts PACA violators in seven states
USDA restricts PACA violators in seven states
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has imposed sanctions on seven produce businesses for failure to pay reparation awards issued under the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act. The USDA announced the PACA sanctions Nov. 24.
The following businesses and individuals are currently restricted from operating in the produce industry:
- Hong Phat Produce Inc., operating out of Portland, OR, for failing to pay a $62,233 award in favor of a California seller. As of the issuance date of the reparation order, Que Mai Dinh was listed as the officer, director and major stockholder of the business.
- Melonhead LLC, operating out of Boulder, CO, for failing to pay a $44,366 award in favor of a Colorado seller. As of the issuance date of the reparation order, Michael S. Joseph was listed as a member of the business.
- Hector Avila, doing business as Cal Fruit Co., operating out of Chula Vista, CA, for failing to pay a $43,717 award in favor of a Washington seller. As of the issuance date of the reparation order, was listed as the sole proprietor of the business.
- Mega Fresh LLC, operating out of Branford, CT, for failing to pay a $28,438 award in favor of a Florida seller. As of the issuance date of the reparation order, Gary L. Connolly was listed as a member of the business.
- American Hydroponics Inc., operating out of Hopkinton, MA, for failing to pay a $10,162 award in favor of a Florida seller. As of the issuance date of the reparation order, Jeffrey H. Barton and Phillip J. Todaro were listed as the officers, directors, and/or major stockholders of the business.
- Alfred Huebinger, doing business as Cowboy Sales, operating out of Edinburg, TX, for failing to pay a $5,534 award in favor of an Idaho seller. As of the issuance date of the reparation order, Huebinger was listed as the sole proprietor of the business.
- August Battaglia, doing business as QMP Sales, operating out of Westmont, IL, for failing to pay a $3,080 award in favor of a Florida seller. As of the issuance date of the reparation order, Battaglia was listed as the sole proprietor of the business.
In the past three years, the USDA resolved approximately 3,700 PACA claims involving more than $66 million. Its experts also assisted more than 7,100 callers with issues valued at approximately $100 million.
