Trend of the '90s

摘要

Direct marketing farm products, or value added products, are becoming the trend of the 1990s. While fruit and vegetable stands are not new, farmers getting into the design and marketing of prepackaged goods is on the increase. Realizing the benefitsof cutting out the 'middlemen' who grade, package and ship the farm products, growers are capitalizing on the retail trade. The daily bombardment of news reports that state the health benefits of particular fresh foods, the increased stress on fruit andvegetable consumption, and warnings about preservatives: all contribute to consumer interest in fresh wholesome foods. Add to that the association of rural life with healthy living, and it's a retail farmer's dream.