Us Programs Affecting Food And Agricultural Marketing

This book discusses the increased scope, complexity and globalization of markets, the changes in technology behind this, and the need for policy and program adjustments. Also discusses the development of supply chains both domestically and globally.

This comprehensive overview of local food systems explores alternative definitions of local food, estimates market size and reach, describes the characteristics of local consumers and producers, and examines early indications of the economic and health impacts of local food systems. Defining ¿local¿ based on marketing arrangements, such as farmers selling directly to consumers at regional farmers¿ markets or to schools, is well recognized. Statistics suggest that local food markets account for a small, but growing, share of U.S. agricultural production. For smaller farms, direct marketing to consumers accounts for a higher percentage of their sales than for larger farms. Charts and tables.

This paper examines the development of US agricultural policy and considers how it has affected US consumers and producers, as well as how US programs affect foreign producers and consumers within the context of the United States’ obligations under the World Trade Organization. Throughout its history, the United States has supported the farm sector through a myriad of policies affecting prices, production, and farm incomes. Although many of the policies put in place during the New Deal legislation in the 1930s were seen as temporary at the time, most have persisted in one form or another to the present day. And while many would argue that the form and function of today’s agricultural programs are less distortionary than before, the level of support provided to the sector is several billion dollars annually.

U.S. producers, importers, and others handling a variety of agricultural products pay millions of dollars annually for promotion and research programs to increase domestic and foreign sales of these products. This report presents information on these programs: how U.S. check-off programs are organized and what kinds of activities they carry out, what factors the check-off boards consider in planning future program activities, and how comparable marketing organ's. in Australia, Germany, New Zealand, and the U.K. are organized and carry out their activities.