PACA sanctions imposed on three, actions filed against Poppell’s Produce
PACA sanctions imposed on three, actions filed against Poppell’s Produce
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has imposed sanctions on three produce businesses for failure to pay reparation awards issued under the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act. The USDA also filed an administrative action against Poppell’s Produce Inc.
The following businesses and individuals are currently restricted from operating in the produce industry:
- Access Fresh LLC, operating out of Carmel, CA, for failing to pay a $41,238 award in favor of an Idaho seller. As of the issuance date of the reparation order, Cabbage Head LLC, Richard M. Downey and Daniel J. Lord were listed as members of the business.
- Monarch Fresh Produce LLC, operating out of Pharr, TX, for failing to pay a $6,574 award in favor of an Illinois seller. As of the issuance date of the reparation order, Jason N. Stros was listed as a member of the business.
- Cali Prime Produce LLC, operating out of Belmont, CA, for failing to pay a $5,641 award in favor of a Minnesota seller. As of the issuance date of the reparation order, Fouad Saeed Abdulkadir was listed as a member of the business.
Poppell’s Produce Inc., operating from Georgia, allegedly failed to make payment to 20 produce sellers in the amount of $327,702 from September 2012 through December 2013. The company will have an opportunity to request a hearing. Should USDA find that it 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.
