WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has imposed sanctions on four 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:
Harvest Pro
Operating out of Modesto, California, this company received sanctions for failing to pay a $7,781 award in favor of a California seller. As of the issuance date of the reparation order, Danny Castillon was listed as the sole proprietor of the business.
Happyfoods of SW FLA Inc.
Operating out of Cape Coral, Florida, this company received sanctions for failing to pay a $102,892 award in favor of a Florida seller. As of the issuance date of the reparation order, Darlene D. Dean was listed as the officer, director, and major stockholder of the business.
Farmers Best of NYC
Operating out of Brooklyn, New York, this company received sanctions for failing to pay a $35,302 award in favor of an Arizona seller. As of the issuance date of the reparation order, Evenaim Eran was listed as the officer, director, and major stockholder of the business.
Tama Tropical Inc.
Operating out of Farmingdale, New York, this company received sanctions for failing to pay a $10,470 award in favor of a New York seller. As of the issuance date of the reparation order, Anthony Berritto and Anthony Marotta were listed as the officers, directors, and/or major stockholders of the business.
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.
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.
