SPRING MEETING OF APPROVED FARM STAND OPERATORS 



Fred E. Cole 

 Inspector, Approved Farm Stand Program 



The annual spring meeting of the Approved Farm Stand Program members 

 was held on May 20th, at the Red Apple Farm in Phillipston, at which time 

 there was a free exchange of ideas and discussion of selling at farm stands. 

 The following are notes from general discussion. 



Red Apple Farm wipes all apples. Considered it a sales advantage. 

 The wiping of apples is gaining in practice. 



Box liners of fix.n are in use for Golden Delicious, Russets and pears. 

 The extra weight at packing time pays for the film bag. 



There was a reported tendency to shift from 8 qt. packages to 4 qt. 

 packages on some stands. 



The question of weight rather than measure for retail packages was dis- 

 cussed at length. Conclusions seemed to be to stay with measure for several 

 important reasons from standpoint of roadside sales. 



The advantage of choice of variety, size of packs and size and grade of 

 apples on Approved Farm Stands was considered a substantial sales advantage. 



Jams and jellies are moving OK. There seemed to be some items which 

 moved faster than others and orders are being trimmed accordingly. Fruit 

 syrups - Blackberry, Blueberry, Strawberry - are "taking hold". Maple 

 products and honey are continuing popular, 



Apple sectioner is a good item. There is need for a good apple corer. 



Mrs, Clieney explained the use of the recipe of "Open-faced Mcintosh 

 Sandwich" on radio and TV. 



The annual debate as to whether radio or newspaper ads were most help- 

 ful was carried on with newspapers getting the edge. Local differences 

 were apparent. 



Product Liability Insurance was considered a necessity by some operators, 



There was some discussion regarding the proposed shortening of the "CA" 

 storage period with the concensus of opinion in favor of maintaining present 

 requirements and not for taking the risk of losing present advantages. 



A motion was made by Charles Dowse, of Sherbon, seconded by Walker 

 Cheney of Brimfield, and voted unanimously as follows: 



"All drops shall be marked as to grade or marked "Unclassified" 

 but the term 'drops" may be used with the name of the variety 

 in addition to the above requirement' . A typical mark for drops 

 might be 'Mcintosh Drops, U.S. Utility' . The grade designation 

 provides a minimum standard for apples in the pack. 



