WASHINGTON, D.C. - Several PACA violators based in California, Tennessee, Texas, and Florida have been restricted from operating in the produce industry, according to a USDA press release.

According to the release, the USDA has imposed sanctions on the four businesses below for failure to pay reparation awards issued under PACA:

• Gideon Daneshard, doing business as Gibor Produce, operating out of Los Angeles, Calif., for failing to pay a $4,195 award in favor of a California seller. As of the issuance date of the reparation order, Gideon Daneshard was listed as the sole proprietor of the business.
• Agricola Zaragoza Inc., operating out of McAllen, Texas, for failing to pay a $6,028 award in favor of a Texas seller. As of the issuance date of the reparation order, Juventino L. Cavazos and Raymundo Cavazos were listed as the officers, directors, and major stockholder of the business.
• Greg Melton, doing business as GM Brokerage, operating out of Collierville, Tenn., for failing to pay an $11,520 award in favor of a Texas seller. As of the issuance date of the reparation order, Greg Melton was listed as the sole proprietor of the business.
• Advance Produce Inc., operating out of Spring Hill, Fla., for failing to pay an $18,502 award in favor of a Texas seller. As of the issuance date of the reparation order, Brittani M. Canals was listed as the officer, director, and major stockholder of the business.

In the past three years, USDA resolved approximately 4,250 PACA claims involving more than $77 million. USDA experts also assisted more than 7,000 callers with issues valued at approximately $110 million. According to the USDA, these are just two examples of how it continues to support the fruit and vegetable industry.

Agricultural Marketing Service