The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has imposed sanctions on five produce businesses for failing to meet contractual obligations to the sellers of produce they purchased and failing to pay reparation awards issued under the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act (PACA). These sanctions include suspending the businesses’ PACA licenses and barring the principal operators of the businesses from engaging in PACA-licensed business or other activities without approval from USDA.
The following businesses and individuals are currently restricted from operating in the produce industry:
Marjaba Import & Export Corp. of Miami, Florida for failing to pay a $152,760 award to a Texas seller. As of the issuance date, Areli M. Juarez Rubi and Nidia L. Polanco Juarez were listed as officers, directors and/or major stockholders.
Henderson Foods Inc. of Las Vegas, Nevada for failing to pay a $27,000 award to a California seller. As of the issuance date, Gilberto Blanco and Salvador Castro were listed as officers, directors and major stockholders.
8A S Jalmex Produce Corp. of McAllen, Texas for failing to pay a $21,885 award to a Texas seller. As of the issuance date, Cesar Ochoa Torres was listed as officer, director and major stockholder.
Ponce Produce LLC of Hidalgo, Texas for failing to pay a $2,510 award to a Texas seller. As of the issuance date, Mayra Ponce was listed as a member of the business.
Mestizos Group LLC of Garland, Texas for failing to pay a $139,877 award to a Texas seller. As of the issuance date, Gerardo Guillen and Michell Torres were listed as members and managers.
The USDA has also imposed sanctions on Central Market of FL II Inc. (Central Market), Sarasota, Florida for violating the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act (PACA). These sanctions include barring the business and the principal operators of the business from engaging in PACA-licensed business or other activities without approval from USDA.
Central Market failed to pay $150,383 to eight sellers for produce that was purchased, received and accepted in interstate and foreign commerce from November 2019 to May 2020. This is in violation of the PACA. Central Market cannot operate in the produce industry until May 23, 2024, and then only after they apply for and are issued a new PACA license by USDA.
The company’s principals, Nathan and Marsha Forrest, may not be employed by or affiliated with any PACA licensee until May 23, 2023, and then only with the posting of a USDA-approved surety bond.
