WASHINGTON, DC - After imposing sanctions against Kay Lookash Produce back in February 2022, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced that the Vineland, New Jersey-based business satisfied a reparation order in the amount of $21,300. The order was issued under the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act (PACA) involving an unpaid produce transaction.

Having met its obligation. Kay Lookash Produce is now free to operate in the produce industry. Kelly Nakash was listed as the officer, director, and/or major stockholder of the business and may now be employed by or affiliated with any PACA licensee.

Direct from the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service:

PACA provides an administrative forum to handle disputes involving produce transactions; this may result in USDA’s issuance of a reparation order that requires damages to be paid by those not meeting their contractual obligations in buying and selling fresh and frozen fruits and vegetables. 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, including sole proprietors, partners, members, managers, officers, directors, or major stockholders, may not be employed by or affiliated with any PACA licensee without USDA approval.

Once a reparation order is fully satisfied and it is confirmed that there are not any outstanding unpaid awards, USDA lifts the employment restrictions of the previously named, responsibly connected individuals.

To read the release in its entirety, click here.

USDA Agricultural Marketing Service