<p> The USDA has filed action against two Florida-based companies for failure to pay for produce, according to a press release.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"> Del Campo Fresh Inc. has allegedly failed to pay $747,529 to three produce sellers from April 2011 through February 2012. The company will have an opportunity to request a hearing, but if the USDA finds that the company committed repeated and flagrant violations, it would be barred from the produce industry for two years. In addition, 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.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"> Big Bear Storage and Packing Inc., a Pompano Beach, Florida-based company, has failed to pay $1,244,369 to 31 sellers for 169 lots of produce. Big Bear Storage and Packing Inc. has entered into a consent decision barring the company from the produce industry until March 4, 2016, at which time it may apply for a PACA license. The company’s sole principal, Steven P. Weiss, may not be employed by or affiliated with any PACA licensee until March 4, 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, 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.</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">
