WASHINGTON D.C. – Three PACA violators in Tennessee, Connecticut and California have been barred from operating in the produce industry, according to a USDA press release.
D. L. Barker Produce Co. Inc., doing business as Market Fresh Produce and operating out of Jackson, Tennessee, has been restricted for failing to pay a $24,435 award in favor of a Missouri seller. As of the issuance date of the reparation order, Joann G. Patterson and William A. Patterson were listed as the officers, directors, and/or major stockholders of the business.
Ontario Produce LLC, operating out of Bethany, Connecticut has been restricted for failing to pay a $16,985 award in favor of a Florida seller. William Locantro and David M. Melina were listed as members of the business.
Alberto Zepeda Martinez, doing business as Top Line Specialty Produce, operating out of Los Angeles, California, was restricted for failing to pay a $2,422 award in favor of a California seller. Alberto Zepeda Martinez was listed as the sole proprietor of the business. This company is not associated with Westmoreland/TopLine Farms, operating out of Leamington, ON.
In the past three years, the USDA resolved approximately 4,250 PACA claims involving more than $77 million. Individuals, including sole proprietors, partners, members, managers, officers, directors, or major stockholders may not be employed by or affiliated with any PACA licensee without the approval of the USDA. The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), PACA Division, regulates fair trading practices of produce businesses operating subject to PACA.
