WASHINGTON, DC - After being restricted from operating in the produce industry back in December 2021, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced that Carla Langarcia, doing business as Barajas Produce, has satisfied a $7,293 reparation order.

The Los Angeles, California-based company is now free to operate in the industry after meeting its obligations under the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act (PACA), and Langarcia, who was listed as sole proprietor of the business, may now be employed or affiliated with any PACA licensee.

Direct from the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service:

PACA provides an administrative forum to handle disputes involving produce transactions; this may result in USDA’s issuance of a reparation order that requires damages to be paid by those not meeting their contractual obligations in buying and selling fresh and frozen fruits and vegetables. USDA is required to suspend the license or impose sanctions on an unlicensed 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.

Once a reparation order is fully satisfied and it is confirmed that there are not any outstanding unpaid awards, USDA lifts the employment restrictions of the previously named, responsibly connected individuals.

To read the release in full, click here.

USDA Agricultural Marketing Service