USDA files action against Florida company for $150K PACA violation
USDA files action against Florida company for $150K PACA violation
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has filed an administrative complaint against National Produce and Farm Products LLC. The company, operating from Florida, allegedly failed to make payment promptly to two produce sellers in the amount of $152,035 from January 2024 through April 2024, in violation of the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act.
National Produce and Farm Products 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, its 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.