AMS NEWS RELEASE

AMS No. 091-04

Nadine Wilkins (202) 720-8998

nadine.wilkins@usda.gov

Billy Cox (202) 720-8998

billy.cox@usda.gov

USDA REPORTS PACA ACTIONS AGAINST SIX PRODUCE BUSINESSES

WASHINGTON, May 19, 2004 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture has cited six produce businesses for failure to pay reparation awards issued under the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act.

These businesses have been barred from operating in the produce industry until their awards are paid. The businesses were served complaints by USDA and were given the opportunity to respond. USDA subsequently ordered payment of the amounts mentioned below.

The businesses are:

--Unity Food Supply Inc., operating in Miami, Fla., for failing to pay a $3,921 award in favor of a Florida seller. The member is Diosdado Hernandez, Alberto N. Hernandez, and Marilyn G. Rosen.

--Sharon Produce Wholesale Inc., operating in Forest Park, Ga., for failing to pay a $40,148 award in favor of a California seller. The sole officer, director, and stockholder is Chong H. Yi.

--Lowell Ice Cream Inc., operating in Lowell, Mass., for failing to pay a $1,642 award in favor of a New Jersey seller. The officers, directors, and major stockholders are Donald W. Rocheford and Sandra Rocheford.

--Gary’s Brokerage Inc., operating in Florissant, Mo., for failing to pay a $5,114 award in favor of a North Carolina seller. The officers, directors, and major stockholders are Gary Holzhausen III and Judy Trigg.

--Hill Country Produce LLC, operating in Austin, Texas, for failing to pay the $2,649 award in favor of a California seller. The members are Patrick M. Allen and Derek J. Soto.

--Mountainwest Produce Inc., operating in Salt Lake City, Utah, for failing to pay the $15,346 award in favor of an Arizona seller. The officers, directors, and major stockholders are Jeremy K. Littlewood and Thomas E. Stewart.

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 produce traders operating as commission merchants, dealers or brokers, and conducting a sufficient volume of business must be USDA-licensed.  

USDA is required to suspend the license of a business that fails to pay PACA reparations awarded against it. Individuals, partners, officers, directors, or major stockholders associated with these businesses may not be employed by or affiliated with any PACA licensee without USDA-approval.

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