The Monmouth inquirer., 1924-08-28

- WASTES Gio(dSoG0s
The abundance of fresh vegetables
and fruits brings with It the peren-
NAL necessity for their rapid, eco
nomical distribution and for encour-
aging q generous and steady con-
sumption. The machinery for moving
these food products is complex and
retail dealers are often accused of
not following closely the wholesale
market quotations; that in times of
glutted markets they do not cut pri-
ces severely and aid in q rapid move
ment from producer TO consumer. But
the responsibility for slow and uneco-
nomic movement into consumptive
channels is difficult to trace. The
large class of food distributors known
as 'smiddlemen" are often accused OF
levying, arbitrarily. heavy tribute
on all food stuffs passing from the
producer to the consumer. The atten-
fion of the public has been frequently
directed to increased costs of pro-
ducts rather than service rendered.
The new United States department
Of agriculture bulletin, No. 267. Meth
ods of Wholesale Distribution OF
Fruits and Vegetables on Large Mar
kets, does not indict the '.middlemen"
as a class, although 1t points out
some abuses In the trade. AS mat
ter of fact, say the departments spe-
ciaIists, when discussing the pres
ent marketing organization, econom-
&c laws would not permit the long
continued existence of a marketing
agency which was solely a parasite.
Several important factors have con-
trfbuted to the establishment of many
middlemen as necessary agents in the
present system of marketing. Pro
ductioa during the last decade has in
creased greatly, and improved meth
DDS and facilities for handling the in
crease have been introduced. Keep
ing pace with increased production
| has come the demand of consumers
for more elaborate and efficient SER
vice. Seldom is the fact considered
that service can become a very ex-
I pensive luxury With the widening of
4 the distance between the city and the
sources of its fruit and vegetable sup
plies there has arisen the necessity
for special agencies to meet the
changed conditions.
! The present distributive machinery,
with all It's strong points and 1t weak
nesses, has been created of necessity,
and it has weathered the storm of
much adverse criticism. Every part
of the country is now enjoying the
perishable products Of the most re-
] mote districts. Any readjustment of
present market practices must be.
based upon the fact that some agency
must continue to perform the func-
lions Of the present-day middleman.
The problems involved in handling
goods through large market differ
greatly from those OF production. Us
ually one man or one firm can not
handle both production and distribu-
ton and succeed at both. The vast
volume of business transacted at large
market centers makes necessary some
special agencies which can devote all
their energies to distribution. Espe.
| cially does the machinery for efficient
marketing become necessary when
/ perishable goods are to be handled.
Commodities of this sort must be
moved rapidly, must be distributed
evenly, and from their very nature
! permit of no weakness in distributiye
machinery, If they are to be sold at a
profit.
With the perishable nature of a
large part of the fruits and vegetables
marketed there must be some loss.
| This often totals higher than the
J farmer realizes. For instance, accord
| ing to the departments market spe-
cialists, the loss on such commodi-
! les as strawberries, peaches, and
| grapes, sometimes amounts to 30 or
| 40 per cent before they reach the
hands of the retail trade. Losses due
to spelling may be the result OF the
shippers sending oyer-ripe or dis
eased fruit, or failing to give proper
attention to packing, to loading. or to
bracing the packages in the car. Some
/
In transit, improper ventilation or re-
frigeration, or unnecessarily rough
handling OF cars may contribute to
rapid deterioration of the shipment on
arrival.
The lack Of proper refrigeration IA
eilities at distributing centers is a
cause of much loss. When produce
moves slowly, there is often much
spoilage before complete sales can be
made. Rough handling during unload
ing or carting is another important
cause Of loss. AS a matter of fact, the
opportunities for losses due to tho
spelling of commodities are so mani
| fold that it is impossible to enter into
q complete discussion Of them.
1t Is always well to bear in mind the
really serious side OF losses and
wastes. The spelling Of a dozen can
taloupes, a basket Of grapes, or crate
of strawberries represents an absolute
| loss tn the community. No benefit