Accelerating food prices during the past few years have focused renewed attention on the food marketing system. In particular, concern has been expressed regarding increased costs of food marketing. Producers and consumers alike tend to point an accusing finger at the marketing system for extracting an undue portion of the food dollar.

As evidenced by activities of various consumer groups, the milk marketing system has not escaped this scrutiny. Recent research efforts have centered around attempts to evaluate the system's efficiency. In short, concerns are usually expressed in terms of trying to understand or evaluate pricing behavior and market performance.