WASHINGTON, DC - Under regulations of the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act (PACA), Professional Produce, operating in Vernon, CA, has posted a $75,000 surety bond with the USDA in order to employ Jeffrey Duncan.
Duncan, a former President and Stockholder of Perfectly Fresh Consolidation Inc., Norwalk, CA, was previously named in a PACA action and was found to have repeatedly violated PACA regulations during his time with the company.
The USDA requires that any PACA licensee that wishes to employ persons who have failed to pay a reparation award, or have been subject to a USDA disciplinary action must post an approved surety bond.
The USDA will hold the $75,000 bond for four years, providing assurance to the industry that the company will be able to pay for produce purchased and to conduct its business according to PACA rules and regulations.
In the past three years, the USDA resolved approximately 4,600 claims under the PACA involving more than $87 million. Individuals, including sole proprietors, partners, members, managers, officers, directors, or major stockholders may not be employed or affiliated with any PACA licensee without the approval of the USDA. The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), PACA Division, regulates fair trading practices of produce businesses operating subject to PACA.
