In order to promote more economical methods of marketing and distributing farm products, the department, acting through the Division of Markets, or otherwise, as provided for in this Title, may:

a. Collect and diffuse timely information relative to the seasonal supply, demand and prevailing prices of farm products, both at wholesale and retail, the movement of farm products through commercial channels, and in co-operation with the department of health, the quantities and conditions of farm products in common and cold storage;

b. Assist and advise in the organization and maintenance of public markets, both for wholesale and retail selling, and enter into agreements with municipalities for supplying daily or seasonal production and marketing information and requiring from them reports on the public market activities;

c. Assist and advise in the organization and maintenance of producers’ and consumers’ co-operative selling and buying associations;

d. Investigate the cost of distributing farm products, both in a wholesale way and at retail, and publish such finding as may be of practical interest to the public;

e. Furnish advice and assistance to the public with reference to buying of farm products and other matters relative thereto;

f. Investigate delays, embargoes and other conditions, charges, rates and practices in the handling, transportation, storage, buying and selling of farm supplies and farm products, which appear to retard the free and efficient movement of such supplies and products from the point of production, storage, manufacture, packing and repacking, to the ultimate consumer;

g. Take such lawful measures as may be deemed advisable to prevent waste or uneconomical use of farm products.

Amended by L.1950, c. 293, p. 995, s. 16.