WASHINGTON, DC - Recently, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced it has determined that Jesse Fernandez and Yosuan Fernandez were responsibly connected to Florida Cool Cargo Inc. (Florida Cool), Miami, Florida, and has released an update to its Press Release No: 072-20.

Direct from the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service:

Florida Cool violated the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act (PACA) by failing to pay reparation awards totaling $112,877 in favor of four Florida sellers. As a result, USDA imposed sanctions on the business, including requiring that all principals may not be employed by or affiliated with any PACA licensee without USDA approval.

USDA made an initial determination that Jesse Fernandez and Yosuan Fernandez were responsibly connected to Florida Cool, and subject to sanction. Jesse Fernandez contested this initial determination and USDA has determined that Jesse Fernandez was responsibly connected to Florida Cool at the time of the violations. USDA has also affirmed that Yosuan Fernandez was responsibly connected to the company during the violation period.

As a result, both Jesse Fernandez and Yosuan Fernandez may not be employed or affiliated with any PACA licensee without USDA approval.

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 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.

For further information, contacts, and to read the most recent press release in its entirety, please click the link here.

USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service