USDA Files Action Against PACA Violators in California and New Jersey


Mon. December 9th, 2013 - by Christofer Oberst

<p> Three PACA violators in California and New Jersey have been restricted by the U.S. Department of Agriculture from operating in the produce industry.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"> Fratelli Farms, operating out of Hollister, CA, was barred for failing to pay a $5,754 award in favor of a California seller. Guillermo Regalado and Johnny Regalado were listed as members of the business.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"> 2 Mex Produce, operating out of Santa Maria, CA, failed to pay a $23,190 award in favor of a California seller. Arcelia Partida and Julio Partida were listed as partners of the business.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"> High Point Marketing of NJ Inc., operating out of Ridgewood, N.J., was barred for failing to pay a $30,961 award in favor of a Florida seller. Michael E. Pflueger was listed as the officer, director, and major stockholder of the business.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"> In the past three years, the USDA resolved approximately 5,000 claims filed under PACA involving almost $96 million, according to a press release. 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">