MARKET INVESTIGATOR 

 David Wood 



Boston Ornamental Crop Report 



The Boston Ornamental Crop Report is published twice a week by the Bureau 

 of Markets. This effort is part of the Federal -State Market News Program of the 

 USDA which reports the wholesale prices of fresh commodities. Prices are 

 received voluntarily from wholesale florists at the Boston Flower Exchange. In 



addition, local rose growers are contacted by telephone to obtain the F.O.B. 

 price for roses at the greenhouse. There are about 120 paid subscribers to the 

 report. It is mailed as far away as Florida and California although it is of 

 most interest to Massachusetts retail florists and flower growers. 



Food Buyer's Guide 



The Food Buyer's Guide is a weekly price survey of area retail food 

 outlets. Prices are obtained on fresh fruits and vegetables, and fresh cuts of 

 meat at several supermarkets. During the growing season, visits are also made to 

 local roadside stands and farmers' markets to include retail prices of locally 

 grown produce. The information is summarized as a high to low range for the 

 commodities and is published with a narrative of a featured food item of the 

 week. The Food Buyer's Guide has a mailing list of about 300, although this 

 number varies with the time of year. It is useful to our local growers who 

 require price information to better market their products, and is also useful to 

 dietitians. Extension personnel and institutional food buyers. 



ROADSIDE MARKETING SPECIALIST 

 Craig M. Richov 



Massachusetts ranks sixth nationally in gross farm sales and can boast of a 

 $30 million plus roadside marketing industry. Helping Massachusetts to remain 

 one of the most progressive states in this field is the Department's Roadside 

 Marketing Specialist, who visited close to 150 fanns this year. His in-store 

 evaluations and recommendations to grower-retailers are intended to further 

 upgrade the appearance, image and success of the more than 700 farm markets 

 throughout the Commonwealth. 



A Roadside Market Newsletter is published monthly to inform growers of 

 current marketing trends, merchandising ideas and techniques. The Marketing 

 Specialist also compiled and published the 4th edition of "The Green Book". The 

 wholesale directory was expanded to include ornamental crops and poultry pro- 

 ducts as well as fruits and vegetables available from our local growers and pro- 

 ducers. He also promoted agricultural products at trade shows, fairs and on 

 television and radio. 



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