USDA restricts businesses in 5 states

The USDA has imposed sanctions on produce businesses for failing to meet contractual obligations to the sellers of produce purchased from and failing to pay reparation awards issued under the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act.

These sanctions include suspending the businesses’ PACA licenses and barring the principal operators of the businesses from engaging in PACA-licensed business or other activities without approval from USDA, according to a news release.

The USDA said the following businesses and individuals are currently restricted from operating in the produce industry:

• RC Pro Corp., operating out of Fort Myers, Fla., for failing to pay a $18,244 award in favor of a Texas seller. As of the issuance date of the reparation order, Raidel Cruz Suarez was listed as the sole officer, director and stockholder of the business.
• Breadberry Lakewood LLC, operating out of Lakewood, N.J., for failing to pay a $61,572 award in favor of a New York seller. As of the issuance date of the reparation order, Samual Gluck was listed as the sole member of the business.
• Indita Produce LLC, operating out of Pharr, Tex., for failing to pay a $13,415 award in favor of a Texas seller. As of the issuance date of the reparation order, Demetrio Bisbardis was listed as the sole member of the business.
• Roberson Onion Corp., operating out of Hazlehurst, Ga., for failing to pay a $258,680 award in favor of a Georgia seller. As of the issuance date of the reparation order, Steve Roberson was listed as the sole officer, director and stockholder of the business.
• US Cargo Solutions LLC, operating out of Loxahatchee, Fla., for failing to pay a $18,135 award in favor of a Florida seller. As of the issuance date of the reparation order, Cesar Merino and Salvador Avelar were listed as the members of the business.
• Trooex LLC, operating out of Tucson, Ariz., for failing to pay a $35,600 award in favor of a Texas seller. As of the issuance date of the reparation order, Shawn Mongan and Nitzelle Coenen were listed as the members of the business.