WASHINGTON, DC - The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) recently announced that it has imposed sanctions on GoGreen Farms of Suffolk, Virginia, for violating the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act (PACA). The sanctions include barring the company and its principal operator from engaging in PACA-licensed business or other activities without USDA approval.
Direct From the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service:
GoGreen Farms failed to pay $313,036 to three sellers for produce that was purchased, received, and accepted in interstate and foreign commerce from September 2021 to April 2022. This is in violation of the PACA. GoGreen Farms cannot operate in the produce industry until March 14, 2026, and then only after they apply for and are issued a new PACA license by USDA.
The company’s principal, Breon Clemons, may not be employed by or affiliated with any PACA licensee until March 14, 2025, and then only with the posting of a USDA-approved surety bond.
USDA is required to publish the finding that a business has committed willful, repeated, and flagrant violations of PACA, as well as impose restrictions against those principals determined to be responsibly connected to the business during the violation period. Those individuals, including sole proprietors, partners, members, managers, officers, directors, or major stockholders, may not be employed by or affiliated with any PACA licensee without USDA approval.
By issuing these penalties, USDA continues to enforce the prompt and full payment for produce while protecting the rights of sellers and buyers in the marketplace.
To read the release in its entirety, click here.
