12 P.D. 123 



data from vai-ious interests, consumers, welfare and social service agencies, pro- 

 ducers, and distributors. Besides the listino: of prevailing retail jd rices on most 

 fresh foodstuffs, a market news paragraph heads the report, directing attention 

 to products in season, in plentiful supply, and low priced. 



While the retail report fills the needs for research workers, nutritionists, 

 radio program directors and others serving in more or less professional or lead- 

 ership capacity, further retail news and publicity has been urged by producers 

 and consumers. The request and cooperation of the Middlesex County Con- 

 sumers' Council resulted in the weekly news release for the county papers, 

 "Fresh Food Facts" — market news in popular style to prompt cons^^mers to 

 take advantage of supplies and prices and incidentally aid the market in general 

 by helping move "surplus" products. Although originally intended for news- 

 papers, a wide spread demand for copies developed. 



The other Consumer Councils were aided also in an advisory capacity as well 

 as by providing materials and exhibits for lectures and radio talks and writing 

 articles. Consumer buying talks were given welfare workers, teachers, students, 

 and consumers. Special market price and supply information was provided in 

 certain instances for welfare departments and agencies. The Department 

 cooperated with the New England Home Economies Association in preparing 

 a Consumer Information Guide. 



Commercial Fisheries Promotional Work 



Market Netvs — Daily market news on the retail offerings of fish were collected 

 from a representative group of retail stores. These news reports were broadcast 

 over Stations WBZ, WHDH, and WEEI. 



Radio Broadcasts — A program "Fish Stories" sponsored by this Department 

 was broadcast over the N.B.C. netAvork through WBZ and WBZA, each Wednes- 

 day from 11 :00 to 11 :15 a.m. Fish Cook Books and "List of Massachusetts 

 Fish" were distributed to consumers through this program. Requests for more 

 than 9,000 books have been received from consumers during the past six months. 



A similar program, sponsored by the Massachusetts Fisheries Association was 

 broadcast daily over WHDH from 10:50 to 11:00 a.m. The department is co- 

 operating with the association in these programs. 



Betail Store Exhibits — Many requests have come to the department through- 

 out the year for display material relative to the fishing industry. The depart- 

 ment has placed displays in many stores. One of the most attractive exhibits 

 has been the live salt water fish display in their natural habitats. 



Smaller exhibits have been placed in other stores of such a nature as to 

 attract consumers and educate them as to factors relating to the industry. 



Pvblic Exhibits — Fishing Exhibits were placed in the State Building at Brock- 

 ton and Springfield during the past year as part of the annual exhibits at these 

 buildings. 



During the Food Fair at the Mechanics Building last fall a 30 foot showcase 

 was placed on display, exhibiting all the varieties of fresh fish landed in Massa- 

 chusetts during the year. At this exhibit cook books were given to the consumer 

 as part of the educational work. 



Market Survey and Statistical Analysis 

 A survey was made of the distribution of fish throughout INIassachusetts, the 

 purpose of the survey Avas to get an accurate picture of the handling of fish 

 within the State with the idea in mind of definitely establishing methods and 

 procedures that should benefit the retailer in his work. At the same time ac- 

 curate analyses of production figures were made to aid in comi^leting a well 

 rounded distribution survey. 



Retail Schools — Plans were formulated, from the results of the survey, to 

 establish a series of fish retail schools throughout the state for all handlers of 

 salt water fish. The material of the schools is so drawn up that it should aid 

 the retailer in the better merchandising of sea food products. Twenty such 

 schools are to be held throughout the state in centrally located cities. 



