PACA actions filed against Pa. business, sanctions lifted from Access Fresh
PACA actions filed against Pa. business, sanctions lifted from Access Fresh
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has filed an administrative complaint under the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act against James H. Paxson & Sons Inc. The USDA also announced that sanctions have been lifted from Access Fresh LLC, operating out of Carmel, CA.
James H. Paxson & Sons Inc., operating from Pennsylvania, allegedly failed to make payment to 13 produce sellers in the amount of $739,474 from February 2011 through October 2012. The company will have an opportunity to request a hearing.
Should USDA find that James H. Paxson & Sons committed repeated and flagrant violations, it would be barred from the produce industry for two years. Furthermore, its principals could not be employed by or affiliated with any PACA licensee for one year and then only with the posting of a USDA-approved surety bond.
In February, PACA sanctions were imposed on Access Fresh LLC for failing to pay a $41,238 award in favor of an Idaho seller. The company has satisfied the reparation order and can continue operating in the produce industry upon applying for and being issued a PACA license.
Cabbage Head LLC, Richard M. Downey, and Daniel J. Lord were listed as members of the business and may now be employed by or affiliated with any PACA licensee.
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.
