WASHINGTON, DC - The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced that Monarch Fresh Produce LLC satisfied a reparation order issued under the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act (PACA).

According to a USDA press release, the Pharr, Texas-based company can continue operating in the produce industry upon applying for and being issued a PACA license. Jason N. Stros, who was listed as a member of the business, may now be employed by or affiliated with any PACA licensee.

As we had previously reported, Monarch Fresh Produce recieved sanctions for allegedly failing to pay a $6,574 award in favor of an Illinois seller.

USDA is required to impose sanctions on a business that fails to pay PACA reparations awarded against it as well as impose restrictions against those principals determined to be responsibly connected to the business when the order is issued. 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.

In the past three years, USDA resolved approximately 3,500 PACA claims involving more than $58 million. Its experts also assisted more than 8,000 callers with issues valued at approximately $140 million.

USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service