WASHINGTON, DC - Recently, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced that it has imposed sanctions on EasyPeasy of Salem, Oregon, for failing to meet contractual obligations to the seller of produce it purchased and failing to pay a reparation award issued under the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act (PACA).
EasyPeasy failed to pay a $13,107 award in favor of an Oregon seller, according to a release. Sanctions against the company include suspending the business’ PACA license and barring the principal operator of the business from engaging in PACA-licensed business or other activities without USDA approval.
Direct From the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service:
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.
