MARKET NEWS 



The Division is actively involved in publishing and 

 disseminating market information regarding the wholesale produce 

 market and wholesale flower market. Also published are seasonal 

 reports on apple storage holdings and the cranberry crop. A 

 retail consvuner information report is published weekly listing 

 prices of fruits, vegetables, eggs, and meat and fish products 

 at the retail level. 



MARKETING ACTIVITIES 



Farmers markets have increased in numbers and popularity. 

 In Massachusetts there are farmers markets planned at 44 locations 

 for the 1979 season. It is estimated that there are also more 

 than 800 farm operated roadside stands and 50 pick-your-own 

 operations. These direct marketing operations contributed 

 significantly to the increased cash value of sales of Massachusetts 

 farm products in 1978. 



The hiring of a qualified roadside marketing specialist this 

 year has increased our capability to assist various direct 

 marketing operations across the state. The specialist visits 

 farmers and growers and works with them to establish roadside 

 markets or organize existing markets toward more efficient operations. 

 He also 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 Division assisted the Cooperative Extension Service in 

 the development of a mobile farm market which traveled each week 

 to six apartment complexes in the city of Cambridge. 



This type of direct marketing brings farm fresh produce directly 

 to inner-city residents unable to visit a roadside stand or farmers 

 market. The pilot project, fiinded by the Farmer to Consumer Direct 

 Marketing Act of 1976, will continue next summer and eventually 

 determine if this type of marketing offers sufficient return to 

 growers located nearby to urban areas. 



The Division also cooperated with the Extension Service, again 

 utilizing a grant authorized vmder the Farmer to Consumer Direct 

 Marketing Act of 1976, to establish an ongoing program with the 

 New England Food Cooperative Organization (NEFCO). We have been 

 coordinating the procurement of Massachusetts agricultural products 

 for distribution directly to several of the major food cooperatives 

 and also through the NEFCO warehouse to the approximately 66 food 

 coops actively engaged in food distribution. This project generated 

 direct sales of Massachusetts farm products during the fiscal year 

 which were valued at $130,000. 



- 19 - 



