Release No.: 087-17
WASHINGTON, June 26, 2017 – The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has found Cathy G. Poppell responsibly connected to Poppell’s Produce Inc. in Wayne County, Ga. Poppell’s Produce Inc. failed to pay 18 of 20 sellers in the total amount of $304,614. This is a violation of the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act (PACA).
Cathy G. Poppell, without admitting her responsible connection to Poppell Produce Inc., consented to a finding that she was responsibly connected to Poppell Produce Inc. when it violated the PACA. As a result, Cathy G. Poppell may not be employed by or affiliated with any PACA licensee until May 23, 2018, and then only with the posting of a USDA-approved surety bond. In addition, Ms. Poppell cannot be licensed in the produce industry until May 23, 2019, and then only with the posting of a USDA-approved surety bond.
The PACA Division, which is part of USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), regulates fair trading practices of produce businesses that are operating subject to the PACA including buyers, sellers, commission merchants, dealers and brokers within the fruit and vegetable industry.
In the past three years, USDA resolved approximately 3,500 PACA claims involving more than $58 million. Our experts also assisted more than 8,000 callers with issues valued at approximately $140 million. These are just two examples of how USDA continues to support the fruit and vegetable industry.
For further information, contact Josephine E. Jenkins, Chief, Investigative Enforcement Branch, at (202) 720-6873, or by email at PACAInvestigations@ams.usda.gov.
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