WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has imposed sanctions on two produce businesses for failure to pay reparation awards issued under the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act (PACA).

According to a USDA press release, the following businesses and individuals are currently restricted from operating in the produce industry:

Vegwest Farms LLC

Operating out of Vernon, California, this business received sanctions for failing to pay a $72,627 award in favor of a California seller. As of the issuance date of the reparation order, Jose Luis 7 Echeverria Arellano and Pete Garcia were listed as members of the business.

Countryland Farms LLC

Operating out of Nashville, Georgia, this business received sanctionsfor failing to pay a $24,200 award in favor of an Arizona seller. As of the issuance date of the reparation order, Gerry Barfield was listed as a member of the business.

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.

In the past three years, USDA resolved approximately 3,500 PACA claims involving more than $58 million. Its experts also assisted more than 8,000 callers with issues valued at approximately $140 million. These are just two examples of how USDA continues to support the fruit and vegetable industry.

USDA Agricultural Marketing Service