ex_386921.htm


 


Exhibit 10.7


 


PROMISSORY NOTE


 


	$7,775,680   	Effective Date: June 6, 2022



      


FOR VALUE RECEIVED, INNOVATIVE FOOD HOLDINGS, INC., a Florida corporation, and INNOVATIVE FOOD PROPERTIES, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (collectively, the “Borrower”), having an address at 28411 Race Track Road, Bonita Springs, FL 34135, hereby promises to pay to the order of MAPLEMARK BANK (together with its successors and assigns and any subsequent holders of this Promissory Note, the “Lender”), as hereinafter provided, the principal sum of SEVEN MILLION SEVEN HUNDRED SEVENTY FIVE THOUSAND SIX HUNDRED EIGHT AND 00/100 DOLLARS ($7,775,680), together with interest thereon at the Note Rate (as hereinafter defined), and otherwise in strict accordance with the terms and provisions hereof. This Promissory Note is a Note evidencing the Loan under the Loan Agreement.


 


ARTICLE I

DEFINITIONS


 


Section 1.1.    Definitions. As used in this Promissory Note, the following terms shall have the following meanings:


 


Applicable Rate: The greater of (a) the Base Rate plus 1.25% per annum and (b) 4.50% per annum.


 


Base Rate: The rate of interest per annum quoted in the “Money Rates” section of The Wall Street Journal from time to time and designated as the “Prime Rate.” Without notice to the Borrower, such Base Rate shall change automatically from time to time, as and in the amount, by which such rate shall fluctuate, with each such change to be effective as of the date of each change in such rate. The Base Rate is a reference rate and does not necessarily represent the lowest or best rate actually charged to any customer of Lender. If such Base Rate, as so quoted is split between two or more different interest rates, then the Base Rate shall be the highest of such interest rates. If such Base Rate shall cease to be published or is published infrequently or sporadically, then the Base Rate shall be the rate of interest per annum established from time to time by Lender and designated as its base or prime rate, which may not necessarily be the lowest interest rate charged by Lender and is set by Lender in its sole discretion.


 


Borrower: As identified in the introductory paragraph of this Note.


 


Business Day: A weekday, Monday through Friday, except a legal holiday or a day on which banking institutions in Dallas, Texas are authorized or required by law to be closed. Unless otherwise provided, the term “days” when used herein shall mean calendar days.


 


Charges: All fees, charges and/or any other things of value, if any, contracted for, charged, taken, received or reserved by Lender in connection with the transactions relating to this Note and the other Loan Documents, which are treated as interest under applicable law.


 


Debtor Relief Laws: Title 11 of the United States Code, as now or hereafter in effect, or any other applicable law, domestic or foreign, as now or hereafter in effect, relating to bankruptcy, insolvency, liquidation, receivership, reorganization, arrangement or composition, extension or adjustment of debts, or similar laws affecting the rights of creditors.


 


Default Rate: A rate per annum equal to the Note Rate plus five percent (5%), but in no event in excess of the Maximum Lawful Rate.


 


Event of Default: Any event or occurrence described under Section 3.1 hereof.


 





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Lender: As identified in the introductory paragraph of this Note.


 


Loan Agreement: That certain Loan Agreement dated as of June 6, 2022 executed by Borrower and Lender, as may be amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.


 


Loan Documents: As defined in the Loan Agreement.


 


Maturity Date: November 28, 2022.


 


Maximum Lawful Rate: The maximum lawful rate of interest which may be contracted for, charged, taken, received or reserved by Lender in accordance with the applicable laws of the State of Texas (or applicable United States federal law to the extent that such law permits Lender to contract for, charge, take, receive or reserve a greater amount of interest than under Texas law), taking into account all Charges made in connection with the transaction evidenced by this Note and the other Loan Documents.


 


Note: This Promissory Note as may be amended, restated, renewed, or extended from time to time.


 


Note Rate: The rate equal to the lesser of (a) the Maximum Lawful Rate and (b) the Applicable Rate.


 


Payment Date: The first day of each and every calendar month during the term of this Note.


 


Related Indebtedness: Any and all indebtedness paid or payable by Borrower to Lender pursuant to the Loan Documents or any other communication or writing by or between Borrower and Lender related to the transaction or transactions that are the subject matter of the Loan Documents, except such indebtedness which has been paid or is payable by Borrower to Lender under this Note.


 


Any capitalized term used in this Note and not otherwise defined herein shall have the meaning ascribed to each such term in the Loan Agreement. All terms used herein, whether or not defined in Section 1.1 hereof, and whether used in singular or plural form, shall be deemed to refer to the object of such term whether such is singular or plural in nature, as the context may suggest or require. All personal pronouns used herein, whether used in the masculine, feminine or neuter gender, shall include all other genders; the singular shall include the plural and vice versa. Definitions contained herein or in the other Loan Documents which identify documents, instruments or agreements shall be deemed to include all amendments, modifications and supplements to such documents, instruments or agreements and all future amendments, modifications, and supplements thereto entered into from time to time.


 


ARTICLE II

PAYMENT TERMS


 


Section 2.1.    Payment of Principal and Interest. All accrued but unpaid interest on the outstanding principal balance of this Note shall be due and payable in monthly installments beginning on July 1, 2022, and continuing on each Payment Date thereafter. The outstanding principal balance of this Note and any and all accrued but unpaid interest hereon shall be due and payable in full on the Maturity Date or upon the earlier maturity hereof, whether by acceleration or otherwise. No principal amount repaid may be reborrowed. The unpaid principal balance of this Note at any time shall be the total amount advanced hereunder by Lender less the amount of principal payments made hereon by or for Borrower, which balance may be endorsed hereon from time to time by Lender or otherwise noted in Lender’s records, which notations shall be, absent manifest error, conclusive evidence of the amounts owing hereunder from time to time. If the Note Rate changes, Lender, at its sole option, may from time to time recalculate the periodic installment amount so that the remaining periodic installments will fully amortize the remaining loan balance within the remaining amortization term in equal installments at the


 





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interest rate then being charged under this Note. BORROWER AGREES TO PAY THE PERIODIC INSTALLMENTS AS THEY MAY BE RECALCULATED BY LENDER, AT LENDER’S SOLE OPTION, FROM TIME TO TIME AND ACKNOWLEDGES THAT A RECALCULATION SHALL NOT AFFECT THE MATURITY DATE OR THE OTHER TERMS AND PROVISIONS OF THIS NOTE.


 


Section 2.2.    Application. Except as expressly provided herein to the contrary, all payments on this Note shall be applied in the following order of priority: (i) the payment or reimbursement of any expenses, costs or obligations (other than the outstanding principal balance hereof and interest hereon) for which either Borrower shall be obligated or Lender shall be entitled pursuant to the provisions of this Note or the other Loan Documents, (ii) the payment of accrued but unpaid interest hereon, and (iii) the payment of all or any portion of the principal balance hereof then outstanding hereunder, in the direct order of maturity. If an Event of Default exists under this Note or under any of the other Loan Documents, then Lender may, at the sole option of Lender, apply any such payments, at any time and from time to time, to any of the items specified in clauses (i), (ii) or (iii) above without regard to the order of priority otherwise specified in this Section 2.2 and any application to the outstanding principal balance hereof may be made in either direct or inverse order of maturity.


 


Section 2.3.    Payments. All payments under this Note made to Lender shall be made in immediately available funds at 4143 Maple Avenue, Suite 100, Dallas, Texas 75219 (or at such other place as Lender, in Lender’s sole discretion, may have established by delivery of written notice thereof to Borrower from time to time), without offset, in lawful money of the United States of America, which shall at the time of payment be legal tender in payment of all debts and dues, public and private. Payments by check or draft shall not constitute payment in immediately available funds until the required amount is actually received by Lender in full. Payments in immediately available funds received by Lender in the place designated for payment on a Business Day prior to 3:00 p.m. Dallas, Texas time at said place of payment shall be credited prior to the close of business on the Business Day received, while payments received by Lender on a day other than a Business Day or after 3:00 p.m. Dallas, Texas time on a Business Day shall not be credited until the next succeeding Business Day. If any payment of principal or interest on this Note shall become due and payable on a day other than a Business Day, such payment shall be made on the next succeeding Business Day. Any such extension of time for payment shall be included in computing interest which has accrued and shall be payable in connection with such payment. Borrower has elected to authorize the Lender to effect payment of sums due under this Note by means of debiting the Borrower’s account or accounts at Lender. This authorization shall not affect the obligation of the Borrower to pay such sums when due, without notice, if there are insufficient funds in such account or accounts to make such payment in full on the due date thereof, or if the Lender fails, or elects in its discretion not, to debit such account or accounts.


 


Section 2.4.    Computation Period. Interest on the indebtedness evidenced by this Note shall be computed on the basis of a three hundred sixty (360) day year and shall accrue on the actual number of days elapsed for any whole or partial month in which interest is being calculated. In computing the number of days during which interest accrues, the day on which funds are initially advanced shall be included regardless of the time of day such advance is made, and the day on which funds are repaid shall be included unless repayment is credited prior to the close of business on the Business Day received as provided in Section 2.3 hereof..


 


Section 2.5.    Prepayment. Borrower shall have the right to prepay, at any time and from time to time upon at least five (5) Business Days prior written notice to Lender, without fee, premium or penalty, all or any portion of the outstanding principal balance hereof; provided, however, that such prepayment shall also include any and all accrued but unpaid interest on the amount of principal being so repaid through and including the date of prepayment, plus any other sums which have become due to Lender under the other Loan Documents on or before the date of prepayment, but which have not been fully paid. Borrower agrees that all fees and other prepaid finance charges are fair and reasonable and are


 





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earned fully when due and are not subject to refund upon early payment (whether voluntarily or involuntarily), except as otherwise required by law. Prepayments of principal shall be applied in inverse order of maturity. If at any time, the principal amount hereof exceeds the principal amount stated above, Borrower shall immediately make a payment to Lender in an amount of not less than such excess.


 


Section 2.6.    Unconditional Payment. Borrower is and shall be obligated to pay all principal, interest and any and all other amounts which become payable under this Note or under any of the other Loan Documents absolutely and unconditionally and without any abatement, postponement, diminution or deduction whatsoever and without any reduction for counterclaim or setoff whatsoever. If at any time any payment received by Lender hereunder shall be deemed by a court of competent jurisdiction to have been a voidable preference or fraudulent conveyance under any Debtor Relief Law, then the obligation to make such payment shall survive any cancellation or satisfaction of this Note or return thereof to Borrower and shall not be discharged or satisfied with any prior payment thereof or cancellation of this Note, but shall remain a valid and binding obligation enforceable in accordance with the terms and provisions hereof, and such payment shall be immediately due and payable upon demand.


 


Section 2.7.    Partial or Incomplete Payments. Remittances in payment of any part of this Note other than in the required amount in immediately available funds at the place where this Note is payable shall not, regardless of any receipt or credit issued therefor, constitute payment until the required amount is actually received by Lender in full in accordance herewith and shall be made and accepted subject to the condition that any check or draft may be handled for collection in accordance with the practice of the collecting bank or banks. Acceptance by Lender of any payment in an amount less than the full amount then due shall be deemed an acceptance on account only, and the failure to pay the entire amount then due shall be and continue to be an Event of Default in the payment of this Note.


 


Section 2.8.    Default Rate, etc. For so long as any Event of Default exists under this Note or under any of the other Loan Documents, regardless of whether or not there has been an acceleration of the indebtedness evidenced by this Note, and at all times after the maturity of the indebtedness evidenced by this Note (whether by acceleration or otherwise), and in addition to all other rights and remedies of Lender hereunder, interest shall accrue on the outstanding principal balance hereof at the Default Rate, and such accrued interest shall be immediately due and payable. At the option of Lender, Borrower will pay Lender, on demand, (i) a “late charge” equal to five percent (5%) of the amount of any installment on this Note when such installment is not paid within ten (10) days following the date such installment is due and (ii) a processing fee in the amount of $25.00 for each check which is provided to Lender by Borrower in payment for an obligation owing to Lender under any Loan Document but is returned or dishonored for any reason, in order to cover the additional expenses involved in handling delinquent and returned or dishonored payments. Borrower acknowledges that it would be extremely difficult or impracticable to determine Lender’s actual damages resulting from any late payment or Event of Default, and such late charges and accrued interest are reasonable estimates of those damages and do not constitute a penalty.


 


ARTICLE III

EVENT OF DEFAULT AND REMEDIES


 


Section 3.1.    Event of Default. The occurrence or happening, at any time and from time to time, of any one or more of the following shall constitute an “Event of Default” under this Note:


 


(a)    Borrower shall fail, refuse or neglect to pay and satisfy, in full and in the applicable method and manner required, any required payment of principal or interest or any other portion of the indebtedness evidenced by this Note on the date when the same shall become due and payable, whether at the stipulated due date thereof, at a date fixed for payment, or at maturity, by acceleration or otherwise; or


 





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(b)    Subject to any applicable notice, cure and/or grace periods, the occurrence of any other Default, breach or Event of Default as defined in or under this Note, the Loan Agreement or any other Loan Document that remains uncured under and pursuant to the provisions of this Note, the Loan Agreement or any other Loan Document.


 


Section 3.2.    Remedies. Upon the occurrence of an Event of Default, Lender shall have the immediate right, at the sole discretion of Lender and without notice, demand, presentment, notice of nonpayment or nonperformance, protest, notice of protest, notice of intent to accelerate, notice of acceleration, or any other notice or any other action (ALL OF WHICH BORROWER HEREBY EXPRESSLY WAIVES AND RELINQUISHES) (i) to declare the entire unpaid balance of the indebtedness evidenced by this Note (including, without limitation, the outstanding principal balance hereof, including all sums advanced or accrued hereunder or under any other Loan Document, and all accrued but unpaid interest thereon) at once immediately due and payable (and upon such declaration, the same shall be at once immediately due and payable) and may be collected forthwith, whether or not there has been a prior demand for payment and regardless of the stipulated date of maturity, (ii) to foreclose any liens and security interests securing payment hereof or thereof (including, without limitation, any liens and security interests), and (iii) to exercise any of Lender’s other rights, powers, recourses and remedies under this Note, under any other Loan Document, or at law or in equity, and the same (w) shall be cumulative and concurrent, (x) may be pursued separately, singly, successively, or concurrently against Borrower or others obligated for the repayment of this Note or any part hereof, or against any one or more of them, or against the Property at the sole discretion of Lender, (y) may be exercised as often as occasion therefor shall arise, it being agreed by Borrower that the exercise, discontinuance of the exercise of or failure to exercise any of the same shall in no event be construed as a waiver or release thereof or of any other right, remedy, or recourse, and (z) are intended to be, and shall be, nonexclusive. All rights and remedies of Lender hereunder and under the other Loan Documents shall extend to any period after the initiation of foreclosure proceedings, judicial or otherwise. Without limiting the provisions of Section 4.17 hereof, if this Note, or any part hereof, is collected by or through an attorney-at-law, Borrower agrees to pay all costs and expenses of collection, including, but not limited to, Lender’s reasonable attorneys’ fees, whether or not any legal action shall be instituted to enforce this Note. This Note is also subject to acceleration as provided in the Loan Agreement.


 


ARTICLE IV

GENERAL PROVISIONS


 


Section 4.1.    No Waiver; Amendment. No failure to accelerate the indebtedness evidenced by this Note by reason of an Event of Default hereunder, acceptance of a partial or past due payment, or indulgences granted from time to time shall be construed (i) as a novation of this Note or as a reinstatement of the indebtedness evidenced by this Note or as a waiver of such right of acceleration or of the right of Lender thereafter to insist upon strict compliance with the terms of this Note, or (ii) to prevent the exercise of such right of acceleration or any other right granted under this Note, under any of the other Loan Documents or by any applicable laws. Borrower hereby expressly waives and relinquishes the benefit of any statute or rule of law or equity now provided, or which may hereafter be provided, which would produce a result contrary to or in conflict with the foregoing. The failure to exercise any remedy available to Lender shall not be deemed to be a waiver of any rights or remedies of Lender under this Note or under any of the other Loan Documents, or at law or in equity. No extension of the time for the payment of this Note or any installment due hereunder, made by agreement with any person now or hereafter liable for the payment of this Note, shall operate to release, discharge, modify, change or affect the original liability of Borrower under this Note, either in whole or in part, unless Lender specifically, unequivocally and expressly agrees otherwise in writing. This Note may not be changed orally, but only by an agreement in writing signed by the party against whom enforcement of any waiver, change, or modification is sought.


 





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Section 4.2.    Waivers. EXCEPT AS SPECIFICALLY PROVIDED IN THE LOAN DOCUMENTS TO THE CONTRARY, BORROWER AND ANY ENDORSERS OR GUARANTORS HEREOF SEVERALLY WAIVE AND RELINQUISH PRESENTMENT FOR PAYMENT, DEMAND, NOTICE OF NONPAYMENT OR NONPERFORMANCE, PROTEST, NOTICE OF PROTEST, NOTICE OF INTENT TO ACCELERATE, NOTICE OF ACCELERATION OR ANY OTHER NOTICES OR ANY OTHER ACTION. BORROWER AND ANY ENDORSERS OR GUARANTORS HEREOF SEVERALLY WAIVE AND RELINQUISH, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, ALL RIGHTS TO THE BENEFITS OF ANY MORATORIUM, REINSTATEMENT, MARSHALING, FORBEARANCE, VALUATION, STAY, EXTENSION, REDEMPTION, APPRAISEMENT, EXEMPTION AND HOMESTEAD NOW OR HEREAFTER PROVIDED BY THE CONSTITUTION AND LAWS OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND OF EACH STATE THEREOF, BOTH AS TO ITSELF AND IN AND TO ALL OF ITS PROPERTY, REAL AND PERSONAL, AGAINST THE ENFORCEMENT AND COLLECTION OF THE OBLIGATIONS EVIDENCED BY THIS NOTE OR BY THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS.


 


Section 4.3.    Interest Provisions.


 


(a)    Savings Clause. It is expressly stipulated and agreed to be the intent of Borrower and Lender at all times to comply strictly with the applicable Texas law governing the maximum rate or amount of interest payable on the indebtedness evidenced by this Note and the Related Indebtedness (or applicable United States federal law to the extent that it permits Lender to contract for, charge, take, reserve or receive a greater amount of interest than under Texas law). If the applicable law is ever judicially interpreted so as to render usurious any amount (i) contracted for, charged, taken, reserved or received pursuant to this Note, any of the other Loan Documents or any other communication or writing by or between Borrower and Lender related to the transaction or transactions that are the subject matter of the Loan Documents, (ii) contracted for, charged, taken, reserved or received by reason of Lender’s exercise of the option to accelerate the maturity of this Note and/or the Related Indebtedness, or (iii) Borrower will have paid or Lender will have received by reason of any voluntary prepayment by Borrower of this Note and/or the Related Indebtedness, then it is Borrower’s and Lender’s express intent that all amounts charged in excess of the Maximum Lawful Rate shall be automatically canceled, ab initio, and all amounts in excess of the Maximum Lawful Rate theretofore collected by Lender shall be credited on the principal balance of this Note and/or the Related Indebtedness (or, if this Note and all Related Indebtedness have been or would thereby be paid in full, refunded to Borrower), and the provisions of this Note and the other Loan Documents shall immediately be deemed reformed and the amounts thereafter collectible hereunder and thereunder reduced, without the necessity of the execution of any new document, so as to comply with the applicable law, but so as to permit the recovery of the fullest amount otherwise called for hereunder and thereunder; provided, however, if this Note has been paid in full before the end of the stated term of this Note, then Borrower and Lender agree that Lender shall, with reasonable promptness after Lender discovers or is advised by Borrower that interest was received in an amount in excess of the Maximum Lawful Rate, either refund such excess interest to Borrower and/or credit such excess interest against this Note and/or any Related Indebtedness then owing by Borrower to Lender. Borrower hereby agrees that as a condition precedent to any claim seeking usury penalties against Lender, Borrower will provide written notice to Lender, advising Lender in reasonable detail of the nature and amount of the violation, and Lender shall have sixty (60) days after receipt of such notice in which to correct such usury violation, if any, by either refunding such excess interest to Borrower or crediting such excess interest against this Note and/or the Related Indebtedness then owing by Borrower to Lender. All sums contracted for, charged, taken, reserved or received by Lender for the use, forbearance or detention of any debt evidenced by this Note and/or the Related Indebtedness shall, to the extent permitted by applicable law, be amortized or spread, using the actuarial method, throughout the stated term of this Note and/or the Related Indebtedness (including any and all renewal and extension periods) until payment in


 





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full so that the rate or amount of interest on account of this Note and/or the Related Indebtedness does not exceed the Maximum Lawful Rate from time to time in effect and applicable to this Note and/or the Related Indebtedness for so long as debt is outstanding. In no event shall the provisions of Chapter 346 of the Texas Finance Code (which regulates certain revolving credit loan accounts and revolving triparty accounts) apply to this Note and/or any of the Related Indebtedness. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein or in any of the other Loan Documents, it is not the intention of Lender to accelerate the maturity of any interest that has not accrued at the time of such acceleration or to collect unearned interest at the time of such acceleration.


 


(b)    Ceiling Election. To the extent that Lender is relying on Chapter 303 of the Texas Finance Code to determine the Maximum Lawful Rate payable on the Note and/or any other portion of the Indebtedness, Lender will utilize the weekly ceiling from time to time in effect as provided in such Chapter 303, as amended. To the extent United States federal law permits Lender to contract for, charge, take, receive or reserve a greater amount of interest than under Texas law, Lender will rely on United States federal law instead of such Chapter 303 for the purpose of determining the Maximum Lawful Rate. Additionally, to the extent permitted by applicable law now or hereafter in effect, Lender may, at its option and from time to time, utilize any other method of establishing the Maximum Lawful Rate under such Chapter 303 or under other applicable law by giving notice, if required, to Borrower as provided by applicable law now or hereafter in effect.


 


Section 4.4.    Use of Funds. Borrower hereby warrants, represents and covenants that (i) the loan evidenced by this Note is made to Borrower solely for the purpose of acquiring or carrying on a business or commercial enterprise, (ii) all proceeds of this Note shall be used only for business and commercial purposes, and (iii) no funds disbursed hereunder shall be used for personal, family, agricultural or household purposes.


 


Section 4.5.    Further Assurances and Corrections. From time to time, at the written request of Lender, Borrower will (i) promptly correct any defect, error or omission which may be discovered in the contents of this Note or in any other Loan Document or in the execution or acknowledgment thereof; (ii) execute, acknowledge, deliver, record and/or file (or cause to be executed, acknowledged, delivered, recorded and/or filed) such further documents and instruments (including, without limitation, further deeds of trust, security agreements, financing statements, continuation statements and assignments of rents) and perform such further acts and provide such further assurances as may be necessary, desirable, or proper, in Lender’s opinion, (A) to carry out more effectively the purposes of this Note and the Loan Documents and the transactions contemplated hereunder and thereunder, (B) to confirm the rights created under this Note and the other Loan Documents, (C) to protect and further the validity, priority and enforceability of this Note and the other Loan Documents and the liens and security interests created thereby, and (D) to subject to the Loan Documents any property of Borrower intended by the terms of any one or more of the Loan Documents to be encumbered by the Loan Documents; and (iii) pay all costs in connection with any of the foregoing.


 


Section 4.6.    Waiver of Jury Trial. BORROWER, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, HEREBY KNOWINGLY, INTENTIONALLY, IRREVOCABLY, UNCONDITIONALLY AND VOLUNTARILY, WITH AND UPON THE ADVICE OF COMPETENT COUNSEL, WAIVES, RELINQUISHES AND FOREVER FORGOES THE RIGHT TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING BASED UPON, ARISING OUT OF, OR IN ANY WAY RELATING TO THIS NOTE OR ANY CONDUCT, ACT OR OMISSION OF LENDER OR BORROWER, OR ANY OF THEIR DIRECTORS, OFFICERS, PARTNERS, MEMBERS, EMPLOYEES, AGENTS OR ATTORNEYS, OR ANY OTHER PERSONS AFFILIATED WITH LENDER OR BORROWER, IN EACH OF THE FOREGOING CASES, WHETHER SOUNDING IN CONTRACT, TORT OR OTHERWISE.


 





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Section 4.7.    Governing Law; Submission to Jurisdiction. This Note is executed and delivered as an incident to a lending transaction negotiated and consummated in Dallas County, Texas, and shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Texas. Borrower, for itself and its successors and assigns, hereby irrevocably (i) submits to the nonexclusive jurisdiction of the state and federal courts in Texas, (ii) waives, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any objection that it may now or in the future have to the laying of venue of any litigation arising out of or in connection with this Note or any Loan Document brought in Dallas County, Texas, (iii) waives any objection it may now or hereafter have as to the venue of any such action or proceeding brought in such court or that such court is an inconvenient forum, and (iv) agrees that any legal proceeding against any party to any of the Loan Documents arising out of or in connection with any of the Loan Documents may be brought in one of the foregoing courts. Borrower hereby agrees that service of process upon Borrower may be made by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested, at its address specified herein. Nothing herein shall affect the right of Lender to serve process in any other manner permitted by law or shall limit the right of Lender to bring any action or proceeding against Borrower or with respect to any of Borrower’s property in courts in other jurisdictions. The scope of each of the foregoing waivers is intended to be all encompassing of any and all disputes that may be filed in any court and that relate to the subject matter of this transaction, including, without limitation, contract claims, tort claims, breach of duty claims, and all other common law and statutory claims. Borrower acknowledges that these waivers are a material inducement to Lender’s agreement to enter into the agreements and obligations evidenced by the Loan Documents, that Lender has already relied on these waivers and will continue to rely on each of these waivers in related future dealings. The waivers in this Section 4.7 are irrevocable, meaning that they may not be modified either orally or in writing, and these waivers apply to any future renewals, extensions, amendments, modifications, or replacements in respect of any and all of the applicable Loan Documents. In connection with any litigation, this Note may be filed as a written consent to a trial by the court.


 


Section 4.8.    Counting of Days. If any time period referenced hereunder ends on a day other than a Business Day, such time period shall be deemed to end on the next succeeding Business Day.


 


Section 4.9.    Relationship of the Parties. Notwithstanding any prior business or personal relationship between Borrower and Lender, or any officer, director or employee of Lender, that may exist or have existed, the relationship between Borrower and Lender is solely that of debtor and creditor, Lender has no fiduciary or other special relationship with Borrower, Borrower and Lender are not partners or joint venturers, and no term or condition of any of the Loan Documents shall be construed so as to deem the relationship between Borrower and Lender to be other than that of debtor and creditor.


 


Section 4.10.    Successors and Assigns. The terms and provisions hereof shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of Borrower and Lender and their respective heirs, executors, legal representatives, successors, successors-in-title and assigns, whether by voluntary action of the parties, by operation of law or otherwise, and all other persons claiming by, through or under them. The terms “Borrower” and “Lender” as used hereunder shall be deemed to include their respective heirs, executors, legal representatives, successors, successors-in-title and assigns, whether by voluntary action of the parties, by operation of law or otherwise, and all other persons claiming by, through or under them.


 


Section 4.11.    Time is of the Essence. Time is of the essence with respect to all provisions of this Note and the other Loan Documents.


 


Section 4.12.    Headings. The Article, Section, and Subsection entitlements hereof are inserted for convenience of reference only and shall in no way alter, modify, define, limit, amplify or be used in construing the text, scope or intent of such Articles, Sections, or Subsections or any provisions hereof.


 


Section 4.13.    Controlling Agreement. In the event of any conflict between the provisions of this Note and the Loan Agreement, it is the intent of the parties hereto that the provisions of the Loan Agreement shall control. In the event of any conflict between the provisions of this Note and any of the


 





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other Loan Documents (other than the Loan Agreement), it is the intent of the parties hereto that the provisions of this Note shall control. The parties hereto acknowledge that they were represented by competent counsel in connection with the negotiation, drafting and execution of this Note and the other Loan Documents and that this Note and the other Loan Documents shall not be subject to the principle of construing their meaning against the party which drafted same.


 


Section 4.14.    Notices. All notices or other communications required or permitted to be given pursuant to this Note shall be in writing and shall be considered as properly given if given in accordance with the terms of the Loan Agreement.


 


Section 4.15.    Severability. If any provision of this Note or the application thereof to any person or circumstance shall, for any reason and to any extent, be invalid or unenforceable, then neither the remainder of this Note nor the application of such provision to other persons or circumstances nor the other instruments referred to herein shall be affected thereby, but rather shall be enforced to the greatest extent permitted by applicable law.


 


Section 4.16.    Right of Setoff. In addition to all liens upon and rights of setoff against the money, securities, or other property of Borrower given to Lender that may exist under applicable law, Lender shall have and Borrower hereby grants to Lender a lien upon and a right of setoff against all money, securities, and other property of Borrower, now or hereafter in possession of or on deposit with Lender, whether held in a general or special account or deposit, for safe-keeping or otherwise, and every such lien and right of setoff may be exercised without demand upon or notice to Borrower. No lien or right of setoff shall be deemed to have been waived by any act or conduct on the part of Lender, or by any neglect to exercise such right of setoff or to enforce such lien, or by any delay in so doing, and every right of setoff and lien shall continue in full force and effect until such right of setoff or lien is specifically waived or released by an instrument in writing executed by Lender.


 


Section 4.17.    Costs of Collection. If any holder of this Note retains an attorney-at-law in connection with any Event of Default or at maturity or to collect, enforce or defend this Note or any part hereof, or any other Loan Document in any lawsuit or in any probate, reorganization, bankruptcy or other proceeding, or if Borrower sues any holder in connection with this Note or any other Loan Document and does not prevail, then Borrower agrees to pay to each such holder, in addition to the principal balance hereof and all interest hereon, all costs and expenses of collection or incurred by such holder or in any such suit or proceeding, including, but not limited to, reasonable attorneys’ fees.


 


Section 4.18.    Statement of Unpaid Balance. At any time and from time to time, Borrower will furnish promptly, upon the request of Lender, a written statement or affidavit, in form satisfactory to Lender, stating the unpaid balance of the indebtedness evidenced by this Note and the Related Indebtedness and that there are no offsets or defenses against full payment of the indebtedness evidenced by this Note and the Related Indebtedness and the terms hereof, or if there are any such offsets or defenses, specifying them.


 


Section 4.19.    Entire Agreement. THIS NOTE AND THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS CONTAIN THE FINAL, ENTIRE AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE PARTIES HERETO RELATING TO THE SUBJECT MATTER HEREOF AND THEREOF AND ALL PRIOR AGREEMENTS, WHETHER WRITTEN OR ORAL, RELATIVE HERETO AND THERETO WHICH ARE NOT CONTAINED HEREIN OR THEREIN ARE SUPERSEDED AND TERMINATED HEREBY, AND THIS NOTE AND THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS MAY NOT BE CONTRADICTED OR VARIED BY EVIDENCE OF PRIOR, CONTEMPORANEOUS OR SUBSEQUENT ORAL AGREEMENTS OR DISCUSSIONS OF THE PARTIES HERETO. THERE ARE NO UNWRITTEN ORAL AGREEMENTS AMONG THE PARTIES HERETO.


 


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PROMISSORY NOTE - Page 9










 








 


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Borrower, intending to be legally bound hereby, has duly executed this Note as of the day and year first written above.


 


BORROWER:


 


INNOVATIVE FOOD HOLDINGS, INC.,


a Florida corporation


 


 


By:                                                                


Samuel Klepfish, Chief Executive Officer


 


INNOVATIVE FOOD PROPERTIES, LLC,


a Delaware limited liability company


 


By         INNOVATIVE FOOD HOLDINGS, INC.,


a Florida corporation,


its sole member


 


 


By:                                                                                                            


Samuel Klepfish, Chief Executive Officer


 


 


 





PROMISSORY NOTE - Signature Page