WASHINGTON - The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has imposed sanctions on five produce businesses for failing to meet contractual obligations to the sellers of produce they purchased and for failing to pay reparation awards issued under the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act (PACA). 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 USDA approval.

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

• National Produce and Farm Products LLC, operating out of Brooksville, Fla., for failing to pay a $53,285 award in favor of an Idaho seller. As of the issuance date of the reparation order, Timothy Plumadore was listed as the manager of the business.
• Tropifresh Corp., operating out of Miami, Fla., for failing to pay a $17,258 award in favor of a Florida seller. As of the issuance date of the reparation order, Yasmin Molina was listed as the officer, director, and major stockholder of the business.
• MingsBings, Inc., operating out of Natick, Mass., for failing to pay a $7,556 award in favor of a New Jersey seller. As of the issuance date of the reparation order, Ming Tsai was listed as the officer, director, and major stockholder of the business.
• Del Valle Fresh Inc., operating out of Roebuck, S.C., for failing to pay a $27,397 award in favor of a Texas seller. As of the issuance date of the reparation order, Esmeralda Sandoval was listed as the officer, director, and stockholder of the business.
• Texas Green Star LLC, operating out of Sanger, Texas, for failing to pay a $59,312 award in favor of a Texas. seller. As of the issuance date of the reparation order, Curtis Blagburn, Cesaer Rodriguez, and Giraldie Aguilar were listed as managers/members 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.

For more information, contact Penny Robinson-Landrigan, Chief, Dispute Resolution Branch, at (202) 720-2890 or [email protected].

SANTA PAULA, CA - Avocados, tomatoes, and papaya are headlining an upcoming showcase for Calavo Growers. Taking to this year’s IFPA Foodservice Conference to highlight its foodservice prowess, the supplier is turning attention to opportunities in all three categories with two booths at the show.

On the avocado front, Calavo Growers will be spotlighting Hass avocados from California and Mexico, as well as Lamb Hass avocados at booth #614.

“This event gives us the ability to meet and spend time with buyers and customers,” shares Melissa Brucker, Senior Food Service Account Manager (Fresh Avocados). “The show has grown, but is still small enough that you can have meaningful conversations on the show floor and time outside of the show to meet with everyone.”

Calavo’s avocado portfolio provides foodservice operators with advantages in both cost and labor, offering small sizes and jumbos to offset pricing on key sizes and help with labor efficiency. Also taking the spotlight at the show are Calavo’s round and Roma tomatoes and Hawaiian papaya.

“Foodservice has diversified and targeted retail-ready packs, and many consumers are focusing on health and wellness and food waste reduction,” adds Irene Amezaga, Vice President of Sales, Tomatoes and Papaya. “Consumers are exploring options for a sustainable and consistent supply chain of value-added products that they can attain for a reasonable price point.”

The company will showcase its prepared and value-added offerings at Calavo Foods Booth (#507) where attendees can get a closer look at the supplier’s prepared avocado offerings, such as guacamole, avocado pulp, and frozen avocado.

“One of the biggest benefits of the Foodservice Conference is the networking for various regions and sectors within the foodservice category,” Irene explains. “It also presents an opportunity to dive into the different value-added pack styles that consumers are exploring.”

Be sure to connect with the Calavo team during this year’s Foodservice Conference to explore these multi-category opportunities. And keep reading AndNowUKnow as we bring you more updates in the lead-up to the show!

ANAHEIM, CA - DOLE released a sweet summer update just in time for DOLE Whip Day, unveiling a brand-new flavor exclusive to Disneyland. Nicole Cantore, Senior Specialist, Global Public Relations, wrote a blog post on the news:

Are you ready for a new DOLE Whip flavor? I sure hope so. As if DOLE Whip Day, being July 17, was not already one of the best days of the year for a foodie, I’ve got an exciting and tasty update for you. This year, there is a brand-new flavor launching – DOLE Whip Peach!

DOLE Whip Peach will be available starting July 17, for a limited time only at Disneyland, which also happens to be the official 70th Anniversary of Disneyland Resort. Grab this refreshing delight at The Tropical Hideaway in Disneyland park, which will be the only place in the entire world – yes, you heard that right – that you can get this flavor currently.

Peach DOLE Whip at The Tropical Hideaway

This satisfying swirl of fresh, juicy peach flavor is a fun twist on a classic Disney dessert, sure to make your day sweeter. The flavor is sweet yet refreshing, and its pink color makes it the perfect summer treat. It gives you that delicious peach taste with a tropical flair, like only a DOLE Whip can do.

As a peach fan, I am so excited about this announcement. I can’t wait for you all to savor every spoonful of the new DOLE Whip Peach at Disneyland!

Disneyland 70th Celebration Cup

There’s truly no better way to cool off this summer as you enjoy the Disneyland Resort 70th Celebration, and you can even have your DOLE Whip served in a brand-new collectible cup to commemorate this magical milestone at The Happiest Place on Earth.

This new cup can be purchased with either the DOLE Whip or Pineapple Upside Down Sundae with DOLE Whip Pineapple, caramel drizzle, pineapple upside down cake, and a maraschino cherry at The Tropical Hideaway or with a classic DOLE Whip at Tiki Juice Bar and Trader Sam’s Enchanted Tiki Bar starting July 17, while supplies last.

Where to Find DOLE Whip at Disneyland

Wondering where else you can find DOLE Whip at Disneyland Resort? Well, you’re in luck because here at Disney Eats, we’ve put together a list of everywhere you can find DOLE Whip at the resort. For example, did you know you can get a DOLE Whip Float with a Splash of Rum at Trader Sam’s Enchanted Tiki Bar?

From the classic pineapple to mango and everything in between, this list of everywhere to get a DOLE Whip at Disneyland will help you plan your next spoonful.

See the full announcement here.

FRESNO, CA - The California Fresh Fruit Association (CFFA) applauds President Trump’s nomination of Dr. Julie Callahan to be the Chief Agricultural Negotiator, Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR). Dr. Callahan has worked tirelessly to promote the needs of farmers and ranchers throughout the country in the reciprocal trade negotiations.

CFFA’s Director of Trade, Caroline Stringer, stated in the recent release, “On behalf of the California Fresh Fruit Association, we congratulate Dr. Callahan on her nomination to serve as the Chief Ag Negotiator with USTR. She has been on the frontline to help reduce tariffs and nontariff barriers on agricultural exports.”

CFFA looks forward to working with Dr. Callahan on trade issues to address the needs of California’s fresh fruit industry. Dr. Callahan awaits confirmation from the Senate.