<p> The USDA has cited Quality Produce Suppliers Inc., an Illinois-based company, for failure to pay for produce.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"> The company failed to pay $617,811 to 16 sellers for 117 lots of produce. Consequently, Quality Produce Suppliers has been barred from operating in the produce industry until January 6, 2016, at which time it may apply for a PACA license, according to a press release. The company’s principal, Richard D. Srum, may not be employed by or affiliated with any PACA licensee until January 6, 2015, and then only with the posting of a USDA-approved surety bond.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"> In the past three years, USDA resolved approximately 4,600 claims filed under PACA involving more than $87 million. Individuals, including sole proprietors, partners, members, managers, officers, directors, and major stockholders may not be employed by 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.</p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><p><a class="btn btn-sm btn-primary col-lg-12" style="white-space: normal;" href=" http://www.ams.usda.gov/AMSv1.0" target="_new"> Agricultural Marketing Service </a></p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">
