WASHINGTON, DC - The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has imposed sanctions on three produce businesses for failure to pay reparation awards issued under the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act (PACA).

According to a press release, the following businesses and individuals are currently restricted from operating in the produce industry:

• OC of Miami Corporation, operating out of Miami, Florida, for failing to pay a $13,060 award in favor of an Idaho seller. As of the issuance date of the reparation order, Oscar Rodriguez, Jr. was listed as the officer, director, and major stockholder of the business.
• Southern Melon Distributors Inc., operating out of Atlanta, Georgia, for failing to pay a $28,500 award in favor of a Florida seller. As of the issuance date of the reparation order, Jonathan D. Letsinger was listed as the officer, director, and major stockholder of the business.
• Chris McKissack, doing business as Tupelo Produce Brokers, Saltillo, Mississippi, for failing to pay a $10,241 award in favor of a California seller. As of the issuance date of the reparation order, Chris McKissack was listed as the sole proprietor of the business.

The PACA Division, which is part of the USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), regulates fair trading practices of produce businesses that are operating subject to PACA including buyers, sellers, commission merchants, dealers, and brokers within the fruit and vegetable industry.

In the past three years, the 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. These are just two examples of how USDA continues to support the fruit and vegetable industry.

Agricultural Marketing Service