WASHINGTON, June 21, 2010 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture has cited Vine Ripe Texas Inc., operating in Houston, Texas, for willful, repeated, and flagrant violations of the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act (PACA).
As a result, the company cannot operate in the produce industry until May 31, 2012, and then only if it obtains a PACA license.
The company failed to make full payment promptly to two sellers of the agreed purchase prices, or balances thereof, in the total amount of $312,354.00 for 33 lots of perishable agricultural commodities, which the company purchased, received, and accepted in the course of, or in contemplation of, interstate and foreign commerce during the period of March 2008 through September 2008.
USDA served the company with a complaint and the company failed to file an answer.
The company’s principals, Jack R. Goldstein, Donald S. Griffin, and Robert W. Wooten, may not be employed by or affiliated with any PACA licensee until May 31, 2011, and then only with the posting of a USDA-approved surety bond.
The PACA establishes a code of good business conduct for the produce industry. Under it, all interstate traders in fresh and frozen fruits and vegetables must be licensed by USDA. USDA is authorized to suspend or revoke a trader’s license for violating the act.
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