The USDA says it has imposed sanctions on four produce businesses for failing to meet contractual obligations to the sellers of produce.
The businesses purchased and failed to pay reparation awards issued under the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act (PACA), according to a news release. 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, the release said.
The USDA said the following businesses and individuals are currently restricted from operating in the produce industry:
- Soltierra Inc., operating out of Villa Park, Calif., for failing to pay a $17,798 award in favor of a California seller. As of the issuance date of the reparation order, Scott Castanon was listed as the sole officer, director and stockholder of the business.
- Monarca Natural Foods Inc., operating out of Los Angeles, for failing to pay a $54,745 award in favor of a Texas seller. As of the issuance date of the reparation order, Carolina Reynoso was listed as the sole officer, director and stockholder of the business.
- Produce and More Enterprise LLC, operating out of Houston, for failing to pay a $7,477 award in favor of a Texas seller. As of the issuance date of the reparation order, Anatana Capital Sapi DE CV and Miguel Pedraza Villareal were listed as the managers and members of the business.
- Florencio Torres, doing business as Torres Fresh Herbs, operating out of Houston, for failing to pay a $19,633 award in favor of a Pennsylvania seller. As of the issuance date of the reparation order, Florencio Torres was listed as the sole proprietor of the business.
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, the release said.
For more information, contact Penny Robinson-Landrigan, chief for the Dispute Resolution Branch, at (202) 720-2890 or PACAdispute@usda.gov.
