WASHINGTON, September 4, 2025 – In a complaint filed on Jan. 15, 2025, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) alleged that Roberson Onion Corp., doing business as Roberson Produce, of Hazlehurst, Ga., failed to make full payment promptly in the total amount of $889,309.48, to 12 sellers for multiple lots of produce, in violation of the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act (PACA).
After the complaint was filed, USDA and Roberson Produce entered into a Consent Decision and Order finding that Roberson Produce committed repeated and flagrant PACA violations by failing to pay $457,171.80 to multiple produce sellers. The Consent Decision and Order took effect on Aug. 15, 2025.
Steve Roberson, the company’s sole shareholder and principal, may not be employed by or affiliated with any PACA licensee until Aug. 15, 2026, and then only with the posting of a USDA-approved surety bond. Mr. Roberson is also ineligible to be licensed under PACA until Aug. 15, 2027, and then only with the posting of a USDA-approved surety bond.
USDA is required to publish a finding that a business has committed willful, repeated and flagrant PACA violations, and impose restrictions against those principals determined to be responsibly connected to the business during the violation period. 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.
By issuing these penalties, USDA continues to enforce the prompt and full payment for produce while protecting the rights of sellers and buyers in the marketplace. For more information, contact the Investigative Enforcement Branch at (202) 720-6873 or PACAInvestigations@usda.gov.
The PACA Division, which is in the Fair Trade Practices Program in the Agricultural Marketing Service, 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.
USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.