WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has imposed sanctions on two 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:
- Faith and Stiles Farmers Market, operating out of Lauderhill, Florida, for failing to pay a $12,035 award in favor of a Florida seller. As of the issuance date of the reparation order, Daimia Matthews was listed as the officer, director, and major stockholder of the business.
- Angel Gomez, doing business as Chapulin Fresh Produce, operating out of McAllen, Texas, for failing to pay an $8,566 award in favor of a Massachusetts seller. As of the issuance date of the reparation order, Angel Gomez was listed as the sole proprietor 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 including 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.
