USDA imposes sanctions on Georgia distributor

Washington, D.C., September 9, 2026 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has imposed sanctions on Sunbelt Produce Distributors Inc. The company, operating from Georgia, failed to make prompt payment to 20 produce sellers in the amount of $1,922,775 for produce that it purchased, received, and accepted in interstate and foreign commerce from Feb. 2023 to Feb. 2024, in violation of the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act (PACA).

Sunbelt Produce Distributors Inc. has been barred from operating in the produce industry until March 13, 2027, 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, Bernard Chapman Syme, was ineligible to be employed by or affiliated with any PACA licensee until March 13, 2026, and now 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 PACA Investigative Enforcement Branch at (202) 720-6873 or PACAInvestigations@usda.gov.