WASHINGTON, DC - In August 2019, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) restricted Miami Growers Inc. from operating in the produce industry for failing to pay a seller. Now, the USDA announced that the Jersey City, New Jersey-based company has satisfied a reparation order in the amount of $6,960 issued under the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act (PACA).

The company can continue operating in the produce industry after applying for and being issued a PACA license. Kantibhai V. Patel and Bhavin Hajariwala were listed as the officers, directors, and/or major stockholders of the business and may now be employed by or affiliated with any PACA license.

Direct from the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service:

PACA provides an administrative forum to handle disputes involving produce transactions; this may result in USDA’s issuance of a reparation order that requires damages to be paid by those not meeting their contractual obligations in buying and selling fresh and frozen fruits and vegetables. USDA is required to suspend the license or impose sanctions on an unlicensed business that fails to pay PACA reparations awarded against it, as well as impose restrictions against those principals determined to be responsibly connected to the business when the order is issued. 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.

Once a reparation order is fully satisfied and it is confirmed that there are not any outstanding unpaid awards, USDA lifts the employment restrictions of the previously named, responsibly connected individuals.

For contact information, and to read the release in its entirety, click here.

USDA Agricultural Marketing Service