Florida Firm Posts $110,000 Cash Surety to Employ PACA Violator

CONTACT: Nadine Wilkins (202) 720-8998, nadine.wilkins@ams.usda.gov

WASHINGTON, Feb. 25, 2014 - Under regulations of the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act (PACA), Farm Fresh Packers LLC, operating in Deerfield Beach, Fla., has posted a $110,000 cash surety bond.

The bond was posted with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to employ Jeff Pfaff, previously named in a PACA action. Pfaff was the only officer of Top Tomato Company, Pompano Beach, Fla., which was found to have committed repeated and flagrant PACA violations.

Any PACA licensee wishing to employ persons 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 $110,000 bond for four years, providing assurance to the industry that the company will be able to pay for produce purchased and to conduct its business according to PACA rules.

The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), PACA Division, regulates fair trading practices of produce businesses operating subject to PACA, which includes buyers, sellers, commission merchants, dealers, and brokers within the fruit and vegetable industry. All oversight of actions related to PACA are conducted by AMS, an agency within USDA.

In the past three years, USDA resolved approximately 4,600 claims filed under PACA involving almost $87 million. This is just one more way USDA continues to support the fruit and vegetable industry.

USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. To file a complaint of discrimination, write: USDA, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, Office of Adjudication, 1400 Independence Ave., SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (866) 632-9992 (Toll-free Customer Service), (800) 877-8339 (Local or Federal relay), (866) 377-8642 (Relay voice users).