WASHINGTON, D.C. - The USDA has imposed sanctions on five produce businesses for failure to pay reparation awards issued under the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act (PACA). 

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

• R & C International Inc. of Jessup, MD for failing to pay a $23,545 award in favor of a New Jersey seller. As of the issuance date of the reparation order, Steve B. Kim was listed as the officer, director, and major stockholder of the business.
• Kenneth Mandell, doing business as Benny Mandell Produce of Ocala, FL for failing to pay a $37,913 award in favor of a Colorado seller. As of the issuance date of the reparation order, Kenneth H. Mandell was listed as the sole proprietor of the business.
• Papita Produce Inc. of El Paso, TX for failing to pay a $72,038 award in favor of a Colorado seller. As of the issuance date of the reparation order, Daniel Canales was listed as the president of the business.
• Eric Garzon, doing business as GSP Distributing of Los Angeles, CA for failing to pay a $7,466 award in favor of a California seller. As of the issuance date of the reparation order, Eric Garzon was listed as the sole proprietor of the business.
• Saul Ventura, doing business as Ventura Produce of Los Angeles, CA for failing to pay a $10,910 award in favor of an Arizona seller. As of the issuance date of the reparation order, Saul C. Ventura was listed as the sole proprietor 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 principles 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 4,250 PACA claims involving more than $77 million. USDA experts have also assisted more than 7,000 callers with issues valued at approximately $110 million. Individuals, including sole proprietors, partners, members, managers, officers, directors, or major stockholders may not be employed by or affiliated with any PACA licensee without the approval of the USDA. The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), PACA Division, regulates fair trading practices of produce businesses operating subject to PACA.

Agricultural Marketing Service