The Department of Agriculture shall:

(1) Investigate the cost of production and marketing in all its phases;

(2) Gather and disseminate information concerning supply, demand, prevailing prices, and commercial movements, including common and cold storage of food products;

(3) Promote, assist and encourage the organization and operation of cooperative and other associations and organizations for improving the relations and services among producers, distributors and consumers of food products;

(4) Investigate the practice and methods and any specific transactions of commission merchants and others who receive, solicit, buy, handle on commission, or otherwise, food products;

(5) Act as mediator or arbitrator, when invited, in any controversy or issue that arises between producers and distributors and which affects the interest of the consumer;

(6) Act on behalf of the consumer in conserving and protecting the consumer’s interests against excessive prices;

(7) Act as market adviser for producers and distributors, assisting them in economical and efficient distribution of food products at fair prices;

(8) Encourage the establishment of retail municipal markets and develop direct dealing between producers and consumers;

(9) Encourage the consumption of Delaware grown products within the State;

(10) Inspect and determine the grade and condition of farm produce both at collecting and receiving centers; and

(11) Take such means and use such powers, relative to shipment, transportation and storage of foodstuffs of any kind, as may be necessary and as it deems advisable or desirable in case of an emergency creating or threatening to create a scarcity of food within the State.

Code 1915, § 697I; 32 Del. Laws, c. 33, § 8; 33 Del. Laws, c. 50; Code 1935, § 624; 3 Del. C. 1953, § 302; 57 Del. Laws, c. 764, § 2B; 70 Del. Laws, c. 186, § 1.