MARKETING SERVICES
The Poultry and Egg Marketing section,
administers the poultry and egg grading program under a Cooperative State
Trust Fund Agreement with the United States Department of Agriculture, Agriculture
Marketing Service. Our employees are fully trained and licensed by USDA/AMS
as Federal/State graders.
History
The
acceptance and use of government grade standards evolved slowly until the
advent of World War II when food bought for the military was required to
be graded or inspected because of the inconsistent quality of foods being
delivered to U.S. troops. Producers, processors, and sellers soon learned
that grading and inspection services, coupled with the ability to properly
price their products, assisted them with needed tools to merchandise their
products.
Scope
Poultry and eggs undergo many transformations as they travel through
the nation's marketing system from the farm to your fork. For example, poultry
has shed its skin and bones to satisfy the demand for "ease to prepare", "portion
controlled",and "low-fat entrees" that
satisfy both the at-home and away-from-home food markets.
Quality Standards - quality standards that assure consumers of uniform quality products.
Grading and Inspection - Do you know the difference?
Grading and Certification