Through the establishment of Farmers Consumer Direct Marketing Act 

 of 1976, the New England Food Cooperative Organization (NEFCO) was able to 

 obtain nearly $1000 for construction materials and purchase a cottage 

 industry scale apple drier for local fruit drying. These funds were 

 also used to purchase a used truck which is utilized to obtain produce from 

 eastern Massachusetts growers unable to deliver to the warehouse. 



In another novel method of marketing, NEFCO has worked with a number 

 of growers who at peak harvest time find themselves short of farm labor. 

 NEFCO arranged a work schedule with the grower for coop members to work 

 on the farm, and NEFCO is compensated for 10 per cent of whatever crops 

 are harvested. Direct Marketing Act funding was truly instrumental in 

 getting a NEFCO local produce program off the ground. 



The Roadside Marketing Specialist assists various direct marketing 

 operations across the state. The specialist is in direct contact with 

 Massachusetts growers, working with them to establish new roadside markets, 

 organize existing markets toward more efficient operations or help solve 

 specific marketing problems. He writes a bimonthly newsletter informing 

 growers of marketing trends and retailing techniques. His statewide travels 

 also allow him to work with farmers market organizations and individual 

 growers at these markets. The advice and recommendations given to growers 

 serve to upgrade the appearance, cleanliness and image of roadside 

 farm markets in Massachusetts. 



The promotional activities of the marketing specialist include the 

 distribution of "Massachusetts Grown and Fresher" promotional materials 

 and work with the Massachusetts Vegetable Growers Associations' "Vegetable 

 of the Week" promotion program. As chairman of the Massachusetts 

 Federation of Farmers and Gardeners Markets' promotion and exhibit committee, 

 he has promoted farmers markets through informative exhibits and live 

 farmers markets at the Massachusetts Farm Tour day in August, Eastern 

 States Exhibition in West Springfield and smaller fairs and functions 

 throughout the year. His recent survey of roadside stands in Massachusetts 

 will provide the necessary information for a Roadside Marketing Directory 

 to be released in the coming fiscal year. 



MILK FLAVOR PROGRAM 



This program provides an organoleptic evaluation service for the 

 milk industry with the objective of preventing consumer dissatisfaction 

 with the flavor quality of milk and milk products purchased by them. 



Milk plant personnel, quality control field men and Future Farmers of 

 America Chapter students are instructed on the types of off-flavors and 

 are trained to recognize the flavor defects and to institute the proper 

 corrective action with milk producer samples, blended tank shipments, and 

 finished products. 



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