WASHINGTON, DC - On October 15, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) determined that Sandifer Farms violated the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act (PACA) by failing to pay a reparation award totaling $172,156 in favor of a Florida seller. The USDA imposed sanctions as a result, which were revised today when the USDA determined that Michael C. Harris was not responsibly connected.

Direct from the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service:

USDA made an initial determination that Michael C. Harris was responsibly connected to Sandifer Farms LLC, and subject to sanction. Michael C. Harris contested this initial determination and USDA has now determined that Michael C. Harris was not responsibly connected to Sandifer Farms LLC at the time of the violation.

As a result, Michael C. Harris may be employed by or affiliated with any PACA licensee.

The PACA Division, which is in the Fair Trade Practices Program in the Agricultural Marketing Service, regulates fair trading practices of produce businesses that are operating subject to PACA, including buyers, sellers, commission merchants, dealers, and brokers within the fruit and vegetable industry.

In the past three years, USDA resolved approximately 3,500 PACA claims involving more than $58 million. PACA staff also assisted more than 7,800 callers with issues valued at approximately $148 million. These are just two examples of how USDA continues to support the fruit and vegetable industry.

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USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service