USDA restricts PACA violators in Florida, Michigan and Texas

Author: 
beckman@theproducenews.com (press release)
Date: 
Sunday, 3 November 2019 - 9:00pm

As part of its efforts to enforce the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act and ensure fair trading practices within the U.S. produce industry, the Department of Agriculture has imposed sanctions on three produce businesses for failing to meet their contractual obligations to the sellers of produce they purchased and failing to pay reparation awards issued under the PACA.

The following businesses and individuals are currently restricted from operating in the produce industry:

  • Farm Fresh Packers LLC, operating out of Pompano Beach, FL, for failing to pay a $120,947 award in favor of a North Carolina seller. As of the issuance date of the reparation order, Miranda M. Pfaff was listed as a member of the business. Another principal of the business at the time of the order was Jeff Pfaff. He has challenged his responsibly connected status.
  • Ciaccio Produce Co. LLC, operating out of Brighton, MI, for failing to pay a $29,447 award in favor of a Michigan seller. As of the issuance date of the reparation order, Anthony S. Gelardi III was listed as a member of the business.
  • Martinez Fresh Produce LLC, operating out of Dallas, for failing to pay a $24,669 award in favor of an Arizona seller. As of the issuance date of the reparation order, Arturo Martinez Isguerra was listed as a member of the business.

These sanctions include suspending the businesses’ PACA licenses and barring the principal operators of the businesses from engaging in PACA-licensed business or other activities without approval from USDA.  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.

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. These are just two examples of how USDA continues to support the fruit and vegetable industry.

About D. Otani Produce

In business since 1989, D. Otani Produce, Inc. has grown into one of Hawaii’s largest produce wholesalers, enjoying business with hotels, restaurants, local business institutions. We are also a major distributor to Hawaii’s retailers.

Get in touch

D. Otani Produce
1321 Hart St
Honolulu, HI 96817

Phone: (808) 509-8350

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