WASHINGTON, DC - Sanctions have been imposed on three produce businesses in Florida, Georgia, and Texas for failing to meet contractual obligations to the sellers of produce they purchased. According to the USDA, they also failed to pay reparation awards issued under the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act (PACA). Collectively, the businesses failed to pay a total of $60,573.

These sanctions include suspending the businesses’ PACA licenses and barring the principal operators of the businesses from engaging in PACA-licensed business or other activities without approval from the USDA.

Direct from the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service: 

The following businesses and individuals are currently restricted from operating in the produce industry:

• Rooted Connections, operating out of Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, for failing to pay a $12,654 award in favor of a Texas seller. As of the issuance date of the reparation order, Nitzelle Coenen was listed as the member of the business
• Trinity Vegetable Company, operating out of Elberton, Georgia, for failing to pay a $34,873 award in favor of a Georgia seller. As of the issuance date of the reparation order, Joseph N. Haynes II was listed as the member of the business
• Efruit Fresh Produce operating out of Laredo, Texas, for failing to pay a $13,046 award in favor of a California seller. As of the issuance date of the reparation order, Eduardo Vaca Villanueva and Carlos Vaca Villanueva were listed as the manager and member of the business

PACA provides an administrative forum to handle disputes involving produce transactions; this may result in USDA’s issuance of a reparation order that requires damages to be paid by those not meeting their contractual obligations in buying and selling fresh and frozen fruits and vegetables. USDA is required to suspend the license or impose sanctions on an unlicensed business that fails to pay PACA reparations awarded against it, as well as impose restrictions against those principals determined to be responsibly connected to the business when the order is issued. 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.

CHICAGO, IL - Retail updates recently hit the news wire revealing that Foxtrot and Dom’s Kitchen and Market—which recently merged as Outfox Hospitality—have shuttered their store locations this week.

“It is with a heavy heart that we must inform you of a difficult decision we have had to make,” the company said in a statement on the brands’ websites, announcing the end of their business operations. “We explored many avenues to continue the business but found no viable option despite good faith and exhaustive efforts.”

Back in December, the two Chicago-based chains announced a merger to form Outfox Hospitality, bringing 35 stores across Illinois, Texas, and Washington, DC, under one organization. As reported by ABC 7, Foxtrot opened a new store in January in Washington's Adams Morgan neighborhood, announcing that it had several additional locations planned for the area.

As a result of the abrupt closures, Foxtrot and Dom’s delivery services, mobile apps, and store credit cards will be immediately discontinued, and account credits and customer membership perks will promptly expire.

Between both brands, an estimated 1,000 employees will be impacted by the closure, according to ABC 7.

“This decision has not been made lightly, and we understand the impact it will have on you, our loyal customers, as well as our dedicated team members,” the statement continued.

For more updates on the latest shifts in the retail sector, keep reading AndNowUKnow.

LAS CRUCES, NM - We announced in November 2023 that Brighter Bites was introducing its 11^th location in Phoenix, Arizona. Now, the organization is announcing its 12^th location in Las Cruces, New Mexico, with the kickoff of its first program season in the community. Brighter Bites is serving six public schools within Las Cruces Public Schools (LCPS), which is directly impacting close to 600 families and providing approximately 20 lbs of fresh produce to participants every other week.

“We aim to improve health outcomes starting with the children and families in under-resourced communities by providing fresh produce and nutrition education,” said Mike Pomeroy, Vice President of Operations at Brighter Bites. “Our ultimate goal is to create behavior change that improves children’s health, especially among populations who are disproportionately vulnerable to developing obesity and diet-related diseases. When successful, we can eliminate health disparities and address health equity.”

According to a press release, Feeding America data shows that around 14 percent of individuals in Dona Ana County within Las Cruces are food insecure. This insecurity correlates with the increased consumption of calorically dense foods, such as fast food, which are either more affordable or the most accessible option in communities with limited grocery stores.

Brighter Bites has also partnered with the Roadrunner Food Bank to help supply the right produce and food for its New Mexico program’s families.

"Brighter Bites has created an opportunity to support families in providing fresh fruits and vegetables for their homes. Every campus has seen a consistent turnout from families which has provided an opportunity to connect with all families in a new way,” said Naomi Chavez Lopez, Community School Manager at LCPS. “Brighter Bites has created an opportunity for schools to remove the stigma of receiving food and has focused on expanding palates for families with familiar and new produce."

The Las Cruces programming has also been made possible through the New Mexico State University’s Ideas for Cooking and Nutrition program. The first distribution in Las Cruces took place in February and continues through May.

To learn more about Brighter Bites, or how to volunteer or partner in Las Cruces, click here. And click here to read the press release in full.

ANUK will continue bringing you the industry’s latest.

YAKIMA, WA - Our newly formed pickleball team here at the AndNowUKnow headquarters was ecstatic when we recently got word of a new partnership between the beloved Cosmic Crisp® apple brand and top-ranked pro pickleball player Tyson McGuffin.

“We are thrilled to be partnering with such an elite athlete. Tyson McGuffin’s Washington roots and his focus on healthy eating make him an ideal ambassador for Cosmic Crisp,” said Kathryn Grandy, Chief Marketing Officer for Proprietary Variety Management, which leads Cosmic Crisp marketing. “And the fact that his brand involves a growing family makes our partnership even more special.”

The partnership will showcase the Cosmic Crisp® apple as part of McGuffin's regular routine of healthy eating as he competes on the Pro Pickleball Association (PPA) and Major League Pickleball (MLP) tours, runs his camps, and films it all for the new “Making McGuffins” YouTube channel, a press release explained. McGuffin, his wife Megan, and their four kids will be eating plenty of delicious Cosmic Crisp apples through this partnership.

This powerhouse duo will also include social media content, event appearances, and a sampling of Cosmic Crisp apples at Tyson’s pickleball camps. The fan-favorite Cosmic Crisp apple will also be exhibiting at the World Pickleball Convention in Las Vegas the first week of June, and a social media campaign and Cosmic Crisp and pickleball giveaway will also kick off during June.

McGuffin is widely recognized as one of professional pickleball’s top talents. Hailing from a Washington state apple orchard, fruit has been a part of his diet for as long as he can remember.

“My father was a Washington apple grower, and I’ve always had a deep appreciation for the hard work and dedication farming requires,” McGuffin added. “It’s an honor to partner with the state’s best-branded apple and bring my family along for the ride. This is a perfect fit, and I’m looking forward to representing Cosmic Crisp both on and off the court.”

As more produce brands take creative approaches to increase their visibility, ANUK will be here with the latest.