14 P.D. 123 



Farmers' Roadside Stands. — The program of identifying farmers' roadside 

 stands with an official sign indicating that the stand meets with the approval 

 of the depai'tment was continued. Inspection of these stands was made at 

 various intervals and records kept of the stand relative to its cleanliness, 

 appearance of produce, origin of produce, jjackaging so that the surface of 

 the container was representative of the entire contents. Overfacing, in other 

 words, is a violation of the agreement. 



Meetings, news releases, radio announcements were the result of some of 

 the department's efforts in educating the consumer about these stands. 



Thirty-five users of the sign are organized into an association which takes 

 advantage of the benefits it can obtain through group action. 



Fresh Egg Law. — This is a new law, which became effective September 20, 

 1935. The purpose of the law is to define a fresh egg. Previous to this law the 

 department collected information from states where egg legislation of a simi- 

 lar nature was in effect. Appi'oximately two years of study had been put into 

 this law. 



Since its enactment one full time egg inspector has been employed. Occa- 

 sional temporary help has also been used. Approximately 1500 inspections 

 were made from September 20, 1935-November 30, 1935. Most of the inspec- 

 tions were made at stores. In almost every instance the inspector received the 

 best of cooperation from the storekeeper, who is interested in knowing the 

 quality of the product which he is selling. He is interested in knowing whether 

 or not he is getting the quality that he is paying for. Many meetings were 

 held before poultrymen, retailers of eggs, or storekeepers, and consumers for 

 the purpose of acquainting these vai'ious interested groups with the law and 

 how it affects them. Exhibits showing the specifications or factors which deter- 

 mine egg quality were displayed at fairs and meetings. Many grading and 

 candling demonstrations were given. Special literature was compiled and pub- 

 lished in order to acquaint storekeepers with the best methods of handling and 

 caring for eggs witH special reference to the Fresh Egg Law. 



Turkeys. — A limited amount of inspection work was done on turkeys which 

 were tagged with the quality products label. Information on market conditions 

 were sent to turkey raisers interested in receiving this data. 



Home Canners. — The department cooperated with the Massachusetts Home 

 Canners Association in securing space for canned goods displays. 



Retail Market News 



Encouragement of increased use of native pi'oducts has continued to feature 

 retail market news service through market reports, news releases, radio broad- 

 casts, and other talks, exhibits, and special newspaper articles. 



The Boston weekly retail price report was issued regularly. The report gives 

 the commonly prevailing range of retail price on fruits, vegetables, meats, 

 fish and dairy counter products and is headed by a news paragraph directing 

 attention to plentiful and low-priced items and native products. Weekly re- 

 ports of Springfield and Worcester retail prices on fruits, vegetables, and dairy 

 products are also issued. 



"Fresh Food Facts", a market news release prompted by request of the 

 Middlesex County Consumers' Council, and written in popular style for con- 

 sumers, was issued weekly. Short feature articles were written for the news- 

 papers on canning, fish and milk. 



Other Coyisumer Information 



Occasional consumer radio talks were prepared for and delivered over WBZ, 

 WNAC and other stations and I'egular bi-weekly consumer market broadcasts 

 were started over WAAB. 



Food supply and marketing talks were given to student classes, clubs, and 

 cooking school groups, including Simmons School of Nursing, Massachusetts 

 State College Home Economics Class, University Extension, Granges, and 

 Boston American Cooking School, 



Consumer marketing exhibits were prepaied for various conferences, Massa- 

 chusetts and New England Home Economics Associations, Consumer Councils, 

 Family Information Center at Joi'dan Marsh Co., University Women's Asso- 

 ciation. 



