South Carolina grower-shipper barred from industry over alleged PACA violations

Washington, D.C., June 04, 2026 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has entered into a Consent Decision and Order with Williams Produce, LLC.

The company, operating from South Carolina, failed to make prompt payment to 14 produce sellers in the amount of $816,750 for produce that it purchased, received and accepted in interstate and foreign commerce from July 2023 to February 2025, in violation of the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act (PACA).

Williams Produce has been barred from operating in the produce industry until May 22, 2028, and then only after it applies for and is issued a new PACA license by USDA and posts a USDA-approved surety bond. The company’s principal, Betty Williams, may not be employed by or affiliated with any PACA licensee until May 22, 2027, and then only with the posting of a USDA-approved surety bond.

USDA is required to publish the finding that a business has committed willful, repeated and flagrant PACA violations and impose restrictions on 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.

Release No. 070-26