What aspect of milk pricing do federal marketing orders NOT address?

Federal marketing orders are designed to regulate various aspects of the milk supply chain to ensure fairness and stability in the dairy market. While they play a significant role in addressing issues related to production costs, milk quality, and the source of milk, retail pricing is not an aspect they directly manage.

Federal marketing orders focus on the pricing of milk as it moves through marketing channels from producers to processors, and then to wholesalers and retailers. These orders help establish minimum prices that processors must pay producers, taking production costs and quality into consideration.

However, retail pricing is determined by market dynamics at the consumer level and is influenced by factors such as supply and demand, competition, and retailer pricing strategies. Therefore, while federal marketing orders have a considerable impact on how milk is priced upstream in the supply chain, they do not set or control the prices consumers pay at retail outlets. This distinction is crucial for understanding the broader framework of milk pricing and market regulation in the dairy industry.