USDA files action against Texas company for $326K PACA violations
USDA files action against Texas company for $326K PACA violations
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has filed an administrative complaint against L&L Produce LLC (not to be confused with L&L Farms in Batesville, TX). L&L Produce, operating from Texas, allegedly failed to make payment promptly to two produce sellers in the amount of $326,281 from December 2022 through August 2023, in violation of the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act.
L&L Produce LLC will have an opportunity to request a hearing. Should USDA find that the company committed repeated and flagrant violations, it 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, the company's 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.
The PACA division, which is in the Fair Trade Practices Program in the Agricultural Marketing Service, regulates fair trading practices of produce businesses that are operating subject to PACA, including buyers, sellers, commission merchants, dealers and brokers within the fruit and vegetable industry.