OPEN TYPES OF PUBLIC MARKETS. 3 



of division of labor in distribution, are more likely to prefer com- 

 mercial or "middlemen" distribution agencies to the more direct 

 agencies such as public markets. 



Some consumers in nearly every walk of life decidedly prefer to 

 purchase the fresh produce which their families consume as nearly as 

 possible directly from the producers. Such consumers usually pre- 

 fer, if it is possible, to make their purchases at a public market rather 

 than from producers who peddle from door to door, since it is possible 

 in the former case to choose from a larger assortment and to consider 

 comparative values. Similarly, as between individual shops and 

 public markets, consumers who prefer to buy at the latter state that 

 the markets afford greater opportunities for choice and for making 

 a comparison of values, and that in general they feel that they obtain 

 greater satisfaction for the money expended. 



FUNCTION OF PUBLIC MARKETS. 



From what has been said in regard to the economic justification 

 of public markets it is apparent that their function is not to replace 

 all other agencies in the distribution of fresh produce but only to 

 supplement them where conditions are such as to make supplemental 

 agencies desirable and their operation practicable. Diverse condi- 

 tions are encountered in the production of food products, and a 

 variety of forces and factors make up the demand for such supplies. 

 It is natural, therefore, that in the machinery of distribution, which 

 exists to meet the needs of both producers and consumers, there are 

 various agencies. Public markets constitute merely one type of 

 agency. Originally under simpler conditions of production and de- 

 mand they were of great general importance ; at present, under more 

 complex conditions they are of relatively less importance; but they 

 are of considerable importance, nevertheless, to large groups of 

 producers and consumers in many localities, and under such circum- 

 stances may well be maintained to meet the needs of such groups. 



Where the establishment of public markets is proposed, retail 

 grocers often oppose the plan with the statement that an effort is 

 being made to displace them as distributors of farm produce. As a 

 matter of fact, the establishment of public markets seldom injures 

 grocers and often builds up their trade in supplies bringing greater 

 profit than farm products. If grocers realized that public markets 

 are merely supplemental distribution agencies, and that because of 

 the demand of many consumers for service, markets can not monopo- 

 lize the trade in farm produce, much futile opposition to markets 

 would be avoided. 



From the point of view, of the producer the function of public 

 markets is to furnish an easily accessible place where there is a con- 

 siderable demand for his goods and where at relatively slight ex- 



