WASHINGTON, DC - The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has imposed sanctions on four produce businesses for failure to pay reparation awards issued under the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act (PACA).
According to a USDA press release, the following businesses and individuals are currently restricted from operating in the produce industry:
Anival Valle, doing business as California Valley Produce
Operating out of Chula Vista, California, this business received sanctions for failing to pay a $51,503 award in favor of an Arizona seller. As of the issuance date of the reparation order, Anival Valle was listed as the sole proprietor of the business.
James Bartley, doing business as Greenfield Produce Sales
Operating out of Salinas, California, this business received sanctions for failing to pay a $26,321 award in favor of a California seller. As of the issuance date of the reparation order, James M. Bartley was listed as the sole proprietor of the business.
Stay Fresh Distributors Inc.
Operating out of Brooksville, Florida, this business received sanctions for failing to pay a $25,228 award in favor of a New Mexico seller. As of the issuance date of the reparation order, Jason A. Canals was listed as the officer, director, and/or major stockholder of the business.
AP Royal Produce Inc.
Operating out of Brooklyn, New York, this business received sanctions for failing to pay a $47,937 award in favor of a Texas seller. As of the issuance date of the reparation order, Aleksandr Yakubov was listed as the officer, director, and/or major stockholder of the business.
The PACA Division, which is part of USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), 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.
In the past three years, USDA resolved approximately 3,500 PACA claims involving more than $58 million. Its experts also assisted more than 8,000 callers with issues valued at approximately $140 million. These are just two examples of how USDA continues to support the fruit and vegetable industry.
