The U.S. Department of Agriculture has cited Bronx, NY-based Tumi Produce International Corp. for failure to pay for produce.

The company failed to pay $563,831 to seven sellers for produce that was purchased, received and accepted in interstate commerce from October 2016 through May 2017.  This is in violation of the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act. As a result of these actions, Tumi Produce International Corp. is prohibited from operating in the produce industry until Nov. 19, 2020, and then only after they apply for and are issued a new PACA license by USDA.

The company’s principals, William Bracho and Catherine Bracho, may not be employed by or affiliated with any PACA licensee until Nov. 19, 2019, and then only with the posting of a USDA approved surety bond.

In the past three years, USDA resolved approximately 3,350 PACA claims involving more than $63 million. PACA staff also assisted more than 8,000 callers with issues valued at approximately $156 million.