The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has filed an administrative complaint against Safeway Fresh Foods LLC for alleged violations of the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act (PACA). The company, operating from New Jersey, allegedly failed to promptly pay 13 produce sellers for $3,863,509 from October 2021 through July 2023.
Safeway Fresh Foods LLC will have an opportunity to request a hearing. Should USDA find that the company committed repeated and flagrant violations, it would be barred from the produce industry as a licensee for three years, or two years by posting a USDA-approved surety bond. Furthermore, its principals could not be employed by or affiliated with any PACA licensee for two years or one year with the posting of a USDA-approved surety bond.
Click here for an overview of companies that previously violated PACA.
For more information:
Corey Elliott
USDA
Tel.: +1 (202) 720-6873
PACAInvestigations@usda.gov
www.ams.usda.gov