Massachusetts Produce Business Settles Reparation Award

AMS No. 120-10

Nadine Wilkins (202)720-8998Nadine.wilkins@ams.usda.gov

WASHINGTON, July 7, 2010 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced that La Dona Produce Corp., operating in Plant City, Fla., has settled a reparation award issued under the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act (PACA).

La Dona Produce Corp.’s sole officer, director, and stockholder, Pedro M. Pena, may be employed by or affiliated with any PACA licensee.

PACA provides for damages to be paid by those not meeting their contractual obligations in buying and selling fresh and frozen fruits and vegetables. Interstate traders operating as commission merchants, dealers or brokers, and conducting a sufficient volume of business must be USDA-licensed.

PACA requires USDA to suspend the license of a business that fails to pay reparations awarded against it.

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