As a part of its efforts to enforce the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act and ensure fair trading practices within the U.S. produce industry, the U.S. Department of Agriculture has imposed sanctions on Write On Marketing Inc. in Los Angeles for failing to meet its contractual obligations to the sellers of produce it purchased.

Write On Marketing Inc. failed to pay $619,195 to nine sellers for produce that was purchased, received and accepted in interstate and foreign commerce from August 2017 to July 2018. This is in violation of the PACA. Write On Marketing Inc., cannot operate in the produce industry until Jan. 9, 2022, and then only after they apply for and are issued a new PACA license by USDA.

The company’s principals, Arnulfo Diaz, Jose Salazar Jr. and Rudy Gomez Bravo, may not be employed by or affiliated with any PACA licensee until Jan. 9, 2021, and then only with the posting of a USDA approved surety bond.

USDA is required to publish the finding that a business has committed willful, repeated and flagrant violations of PACA as well as impose restrictions against those principals determined to be responsibly connected to the business during the violation period. 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.

The PACA Division, which is a part of AMS’ Fair Trade Practices Program, 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. PACA staff also assisted more than 7,800 callers with issues valued at approximately $148 million.