WASHINGTON, D.C. – The USDA has imposed sanctions on three companies for failure to pay reparation sanctions under PACA.  

The following businesses and individuals are currently barred from operating in the produce industry, according to a press release.

• Evelyn Menjivar, d.b.a. Joan’s Food and Produce, a Richmond, Virginia-based company, has been restricted for failure to pay a $30,176 award in favor of a Texas seller. As of the issuance date of the reparation order, Evelyn Menjivar was listed as the sole proprietor of the business.
• Fresh Is Best Wholesale Produce Company, a Plant City, Florida-based company, has allegedly failed to pay an $8,514 award in favor of a Florida seller. As of the issuance date of the reparation order, Warren G. Jones was listed as the Officer, Director, and major stockholder of the business. Another Principal of the business, Jeffrey T. Newsome, was named at the time of the order, but he has challenged his responsibly connected status.  
• Global Foods International, an Irvine, California-based company, has failed to pay a $6,072 award in favor of a California seller. As of the issuance date of the reparation order, Sivoush Nayyeri was listed as the Officer, Director, and major stockholder 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 may not be employed by or affiliated with any PACA licensee without USDA-approval.

In the past three years, USDA resolved approximately 3,700 PACA claims involving more than $66 million. Its experts also assisted more than 7,100 callers with issues valued at approximately $100 million. These are just two examples of how USDA continues to support the fruit and vegetable industry.

Agricultural Marketing Service