A History of Government’s Role in the Food and Agricultural Marketing System

The Federal Government’s involvement in the marketing of agricultural and food products began in the nineteenth century, grew rapidly in the early twentieth century, and continues to evolve. Federal programs affecting food and agricultural marketing have addressed consumers’ concerns about food safety and farmers’ concerns about fair pricing in the marketplace. Regulation of the railroads and competition in the agricultural product processing began in the late 1800s. The Meat Inspection and Pure Food and Drug Acts of 1906 initiated a series of regulatory steps continuing to this day to reduce food-borne illness. Beginning in 1915, Federal market news, grades and standards, support for cooperatives, and marketing orders increased farmers’ marketing power. The Farmer-to-Consumer Direct Marketing Act was passed in 1976. Programs have been modified in recent decades to address new food safety problems, increased demand for organic and locally grown foods, and renewed concerns about concentration in agricultural markets. Future programs will be affected by tight federal budgets, continuing changes in technology, high concentration in agricultural markets, and new challenges in preventing food-borne disease.