Ohio Firm Posts $100,000 Employment Bond
WASHINGTON, DC - Cleveland, Ohio-based Produce Packaging has posted a $100,000 surety bond with the USDA as a means of employing Andrew Weingart. Weingart is the former President and stockholder of Forest City Weingart Produce Co., a company that the Agricultural Marketing Service found committing violations of the PACA in September of 2018.
Direct from the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service:
Any PACA licensee wishing to employ individuals who have failed to pay a reparation award, or have been subject to a USDA disciplinary action, must post a USDA-approved surety bond. USDA will hold the $100,000 bond for four years and nine months, providing assurance to the industry that the firm will be able to pay for produce purchased and to conduct its business according to PACA rules.
The PACA Division, which is a part of AMS’ Fair Trade Practices Program, regulates fair trading practices of produce businesses that are operating subject to the 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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