WASHINGTON, DC - The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) recently announced that it has imposed sanctions on Safeway Fresh Foods of New Jersey for violating the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act (PACA). The sanctions include barring the company and its principal operator from engaging in PACA-licensed business or other activities without USDA approval.

Direct From the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service:

The company, operating from New Jersey, allegedly failed to make payment promptly to 13 produce sellers in the amount of $3,863,509 from October 2021 through July 2023.

Safeway Fresh Foods will have an opportunity to request a hearing. Should USDA find that the company committed repeated and flagrant violations, it would be barred from the produce industry as a licensee for three years, or two years with the posting of a USDA-approved surety bond. Furthermore, its principals could not be employed by or affiliated with any PACA licensee for two years, or one year with the posting of a USDA-approved surety bond.

To read the release in its entirety, click here.