ROADSIDE MARKETING - Craig Richov 



To keep Massachusetts a leader in direct marketing, farm marketers in the 

 Commonwealth are offered the consulting services of the Department's Roadside 

 Marketing Specialist. The Specialist visited over 200 farms this year, and 

 his recommendations to grower-retailers are intended to further upgrade the 

 appearance, image and success of the the $30 million plus roadside marketing 

 industry. His monthly Newsletter informs growers of current marketing trends 

 and retailing techniques and successes. Plans for new roadside markets were 

 provided in Lakeville, Westport and Northboro, and improved market layouts were 

 recommended for over 20 stands across the state. The Specialist also held a 

 marketing seminar and market tour during the New England Vegetable Growers 

 Conference in December. 



Promotional activities of the marketing specialist include the distri- 

 bution of "Massachusetts Grown and Fresher" promotional materials and participa- 

 tion with the Massachusetts Vegetable Growers Association Marketing and 

 Promotion Committee. A fall harvest display and information booth promoted 

 Massachusetts products at the Massachusetts Building at the Eastern States 

 Exposition in West Springfield and provided fair goers with information on 

 roadside stands, farmers markets and pick-your-own operations. As chairman 

 of the Massachusetts Federation of Farmers and Gardeners Markets promotion and 

 exhibits committee, the Roadside Marketing Specialist has promoted farmers 

 markets through informative exhibits and actual live farmers markets at the 

 Eastern States Exposition and smaller fairs and functions throughout the year. 



FOREIGN TRADE SECTION - Dr. Schiva Gandhi 



in this fiscal year, the economic trends of the day have had a tremendous 

 impact on the Massachusetts agribusiness firms participating m the export 

 programs of the Division of Markets. European community processing subsidies, 

 a strong U.S. dollar and the economic recession in Europe have served to reduce 

 U.S. exports to the European community. Lesser developed countries strapped 

 for foreign exchange have been concentrating on importing only "essential and 

 necessary commodities". Faced with these harsh realities and eager to tap all 

 potential world markets, the hundred or so Massachusetts firms (new- to-export 

 or experienced exporters) have been actively utlizing the services and resources 

 of the Foreign Trade Section. Thus there has been a marked increase in inquiries 

 on agricultural statistics, latest developments in foreign markets and other 

 information relating to foreign trade. 



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