Farmer-to-Consumer Direct Marketing in Six States

Nearly 62,000 farmers in Indiana, Michigan, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, and Pennsylvania sold about $260 million worth of farm products directly to consumers in 1978. Direct sales represented 2 percent of total farm income in the six States. Leading in sales value were floral and nursery products, apples, berries, peaches, sweet corn, tomatoes, and melons. Direct sales from the farmhouse was the most frequently used direct marketing method, followed by roadside stands. Other types of direct marketing outlets are pick-your-own operations, farmers' markets, house-to-house delivery and farm stores.