MILK MARKETING FACILITIES AND
 DISTRIBUTION METHODS


 TZesy of Firms


 Firms handling fluid whole milk and milk products are of three
general types ;36 processor-distributor, producer-distributor and
distributor.

 Processor-distributor firms are those which produce no milk
on farms, but purchase all milk supplies from regular producers or
other sources. They process, package and distribute milk products
through various market channels. Such firms are defined as "dis-
tributors"37/ in markets regulated by the Florida Milk Commission and
as "handlers" in the Southeastern Federal Milk Market Order.38/ Licenses
required by the Florida Department of Agriculture and issued to such
firms carry the designation "processor.".'9/ Firms of this nature are
termed "processor-distributors" throughout this publication.

 In addition to processing, packaging and distributing dairy
products, producer-distributors also produce a part or all of their
milk from their own herds. To be classified as a producer-distributor
in areas under the jurisdiction of the Florida Milk Commission, a firm
must "produce at least 75 percent of the milk processed and prepared
for sale.40/ In the federal market order area in Southeast Florida,
firms of this type are known as "producer-handlers."41i/ To meet the
requirements for this designation, such a firm must produce all the
milk it markets in fresh fluid form. The term producer-distributor
is used in conformance with local market definitions in this publi-
cation. The method used to classify firms in Northwest Florida was
the same as that used by the Florida Milk Cormnission.



 36/Exclusive of retail establishments.

 37/Florida Statutes, Chapter 501, Part 501.02.

 38/"Proposed Rule Making, Milk Handling, Market Areas; South-
eastern Florida," Federal Register, Vol. 22, No. 136 (Washington,
D. C., 1957) p.5588.

 39/Florida Department of Agriculture, Dairy Division, Tallahassee,
Florida.

 40/Florida Statutes, op. cit.
 41/Federal Register, op. cit,


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