American Fruit Purveyors, Inc. v. United States of America and Bob Bergland, Secretary of Agriculture

The present case is on appeal from a decision of the Secretary of the United States Department of Agriculture, through his Judicial Officer, suspending the license of American Fruit Purveyors [AFP]. AFP is a supplier of fresh and frozen fruits and vegetables to hotels, restaurants and steamship lines. The company was licensed in 1958 and has received renewal of that license annually. In 1969, AFP purchased and accepted 17 lots of vegetables, which are considered perishable agricultural commodities, from five sellers and failed to make full payment promptly. On October 29, 1971, following the…