Selling Methods . --About three-fourths of the auction sales are to brokers 

 and commission merchants with the balance going to roadside market 

 operators . 



Brand Policy . --Up until 1966 the cooperative handled the direct sales 

 of the Atlantic County Blueberry Association including the trade name 

 "Blue Crest." Currently the cooperative has no brand or label in its 

 auction sales program. 



Market Information . --The cooperative receives market information from 

 Federal and State market news service, by telephone from Bridgeton, N. J. 

 and from radio stations, trade journals, and newspapers. 



Quality Control . --Any quality control of produce is the responsibility 

 of the grower who sells his merchandise at the auction. The growers 

 are made aware of the importance of 'quality produce by the pricing 

 system relying on buyers judgement of samples on auction. 



Operating Problems . --There is need for a closer relationship between 

 buyers and directors, management, and members of the cooperative. 



At times there are collection problems after the manager applies the 

 regulations established by the board for extending credit to customers. 

 Additional volume of produce is needed for a continued profitable 

 operation. 



Management's Appraisal of Sales Situation . --The increase in direct buying 

 has made management problems more difficult because it has resulted in 

 a lower auction volume of sales. Also fewer buyers at the auction tend 

 to create an atmosphere conducive to lower sales prices. The limited 

 variety of product at the co-op's auction loses some members participation 

 who have sufficient variety of produce to sell through a larger auction 

 with many buyers. 



Landisville Fruit Growers Cooperative Association, Inc. 



w 



Landisville Fruit Growers Cooperative Association at Landisville, N. J., 

 as organized and incorporated as a cooperative in May 1934. It handles 

 production and marketing supplies for its members, grades and packs 

 sweet potatoes and cucumbers, stores sweet potatoes, and sells members' 

 produce through local brokers. 



Organizational Structure and Facilities 



The cooperative had about 210 members in 1968. The members either 

 marketed their produce or purchased supplies through the organization. 



The general manager, appointed by the board of directors, is currently 

 responsible for the supply program and sales of members' produce. He 

 is also in charge of the packinghouse operation. 



Major buildings are in fair condition and include an office, two sweet 

 potato storage facilities, a packinghouse shed, and a supply warehouse. 



Eligibility for Membership . --Membership is on a yearly basis. The 

 requisites for an individual membership is to pay a fee of $1, grow 

 and market some produce through the cooperative, or purchase supplies 

 through the organization. 



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