Violators were deemed to violate PACA
By Diego Flammini, Farms.com
Businesses in four states were fined and restricted by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) because they were found to be in violation of the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act (PACA).
PACA’s mandate is to work together with the fruit and vegetable industries to facilitate fair trade using education, mediating practices, arbitration hearings, licensing and enforcement practices.
The following parties were ordered to pay fines and are currently restricted from operating within the produce industry:
Joseph Aiello & Sons Inc.
From Albany, New York, they failed to pay $7,747 to a seller from Minnesota. Joseph J. Aiello Jr is listed as the officer, director, and major stakeholder of the company.
Nico Mexi Foods Inc.
Conducting their business in Chicago, Illinois, they did not pay the $7,547 due to a seller in Illinois. Nicolas Ibarra is responsible as the officer, director, and major stockholder.
Campesinos International Trading Inc.
Out of Ventura, California, they failed to pay $16,040 to a seller in California. Arturo Hernandez, La Esperanza Farms Inc., and Carlos Tapia are the major directors, officers, and/or major stockholder of Campesinos International Trading Inc.
Vegfruitworld Corp.
Operating in Opa Locka, Florida, Vegfruitworld did not pay a $5,184 award to a seller in Georgia. Hugo T. Coral, Jose J. Quezada, and Levy P. Zapata were listed at the major stockholders, directors, and officers of the Florida operation.
In the past three years, the USDA and PACA were responsible for finding resolutions to more than 4000 claims, valued at more than $87 million.