Nadine Wilkins (202)720-8998Nadine.wilkins@ams.usda.gov
WASHINGTON, June 14, 2010 – Under regulations of the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act (PACA), West Central Produce Inc., operating in Los Angeles, Calif., has posted $75,000 surety bond with the U.S. Department of Agriculture to employ Joe A. Genova, who was previously named in a PACA action.
Joe A. Genova was an officer of Tuscany Farms Inc., Anaheim, Calif., which was found to have committed repeated and flagrant violations of Section 2 of the PACA.
Any PACA licensee wishing to employ a person who has failed to pay a reparation award, or has been subject to a USDA disciplinary action, must post a USDA-approved surety bond.
USDA will hold the $75,000 bond for four years, providing assurance to the industry that the company will be able to pay for produce purchased and conduct its business according to PACA rules.
The PACA requires that all interstate traders in fresh and frozen fruits and vegetables be USDA-licensed. The PACA establishes a code of good business conduct for the produce industry. USDA is authorized to suspend or revoke a trader’s license for violating the act.
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