WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has imposed sanctions on three produce businesses for failure to pay reparation awards issued under the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act (PACA).
According to a USDA press release, the following businesses and individuals are currently restricted from operating in the produce industry:
- Alv Farms LLC, operating out of Rio Rico, AZ, for failing to pay a $15,463 award in favor of an Arizona seller. As of the issuance date of the reparation order, Alv Farms De Mexico Spr. Del Rl was listed as a member of the business. Another principal of the business at the time of the order was Sergio Ruiz De Chavez. He has challenged his responsibly connected status.
- Fresh Seasons LLC, operating out of Doral, FL, for failing to pay a $22,045 award in favor of a California seller. As of the issuance date of the reparation order, Mario Baez, Fredy Martinez, and Jaime Penaranda were listed as members of the business.
- Trinity Frozen Foods LLC, operating out of Pembroke, NC, for failing to pay a $132,652 award in favor of an Arkansas seller. As of the issuance date of the reparation order, David H. Ross was listed as a member of the business.
The PACA Division, which is part of USDA’S Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) regulates fair trading practices of produce businesses that are operating subject to PACA includes buyers, sellers, commission merchants, dealers and brokers within the fruit and vegetable industry.
In the past three years, USDA resolved approximately 3,500 PACA claims involving more than $58 million. Its experts also assisted more than 8,000 callers with issues valued at approximately $140 million. These are just two examples of how USDA continues to support the fruit and vegetable industry.
