Dion Oil and CITGO Petroleum Help Fuel South Florida Agriculture

KEY WEST, Fla., April 23, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Florida-based CITGO Marketer Dion Oil and CITGO Petroleum Corporation have teamed up to support South Florida farming by sponsoring the Dade County Farm Bureau's 36^th Annual Barbecue and FUNraiser on Saturday, April 26. The event, taking place at the Farmer's Market in Florida City, will raise money to support the growth of South Florida's diverse agriculture industry and help the Farm Bureau create promotions, conduct educational outreach and represent the interests of farmers at all levels of government.

"Dion Oil has been a part of the South Florida community for more than 65 years. We appreciate the agriculture industry as an integral aspect of both the economy and the lives of the residents," said Sue Banks, CEO of Dion Oil. "The Dade County Farm Bureau has done a stellar job fueling the growth of agriculture here. The work they do supports thousands of jobs in the area, so helping them in their mission is really a privilege. It doesn't hurt that the annual barbecue is always a lot of fun!"

Another way Dion Oil is supporting local farmers is by adding CITGO red dye diesel as a fuel option for qualifying agricultural and commercial customers. Red dye diesel is untaxed, which makes it much cheaper for use in tractors and other off-road vehicles. The addition of red dye to Dion Oil's delivery service means the entire line of CITGO lubricants and fuels will be available to local farmers and nurseries, saving them time and money.

"We are excited to announce the addition of red dye delivery at the same time as the barbecue and FUNraiser sponsorship," continued Banks. "The farming community deserves our support and we're happy to be there for them however we can – supporting the bureau, making refueling easier or just providing a quick bite to eat after a day's work."

Dion Oil operates 12 branded stations and Quik Mart convenience stores from Key West to Naranja, Fla. and provides oil, gasoline, diesel and lubricant products to a variety of commercial and government agencies. Perhaps known equally for convenience, low prices and famous "Quik Chik" fried chicken, the company has always strived to keep South Florida running. Founded in Key West in 1948, the company operates a wholesale oil distribution center in Homestead, Fla. in addition to its gas stations. To learn more about Dion Oil, visit www.dionsbest.com.

The Dade County Farm Bureau (DCFB) was the first county Farm Bureau established in Florida and is the county's oldest and largest agricultural organization. For more than 71 years, the DCFB has been an integral part of the agricultural community, bringing farmers together to solve issues collectively. The organization has more than 900 grower members, making it the largest agricultural organization in Miami-Dade County. For more information, visit www.dade-agriculture.org.

CITGO is committed to giving back to the local communities it serves through its network of locally owned CITGO locations. Independent CITGO Marketers, such as Dion Oil, own and operate 625 CITGO locations in Florida and are proud to support their neighborhoods.

CITGO, based in Houston, is a refiner, transporter and marketer of transportation fuels, lubricants, petrochemicals and other industrial products. The company is owned by PDV America, Inc., an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of Petroleos de Venezuela, S.A., the national oil company of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela. For more information, visit www.CITGO.com.

SOURCE CITGO