Locally produced craft beer, wine, cider and spirits will soon be legal to sell at B.C. farmers’ markets
The British Columbia Association of Farmers’ Markets (BCAFM) announced earlier this month that in the near future, locally produced craft beer, wine, cider and spirits will be allowed for sale at B.C. Farmers’ Markets.
The push to sell these products at farmers markets has been supported by the BCAFM and the BC Wine Institute, to widen the sales boundaries for alcohol products within B.C. to include farmers’ markets.
An economic benefit study completed in 2012, by the BCAFM and Dr. David Connell of the University of Northern British Columbia found that farmers’ markets contribute significantly to the B.C. economy, injecting nearly $170 million.
“I think (allowing) craft brews at Farmer’s Markets is a great way to showcase small local producers, as long as responsible sales techniques and appropriate age checks are made,” said Regional District Director Angelique Wood. Hedley holds a successful and growing farmers market every summer in the Similkameen.
The decision about whether to allow vintners, brewers and distillers to showcase their products at a particular location will be left to the location management (e.g., farmers’ market association). The BCAFM intends to work with the ministry as this initiative develops.
“I am doing some digging to see what the rules are going to be for selling/sampling at farmer’s markets,” said Sara Harker of Harkers Fruit Organics in Cawston. She noted that the province had a template from other provinces, like Saskatchewan, who already allow the initiative.
“I believe that a farmers market is a great outlet for some of the smaller wineries, who do not have distribution in larger places.
“I think individual farmer’s markets are going to have to come up with policies, however, in order to decide which wineries will be allowed to come in.”
Harker noted that farmers markets like the popular Penticton market would not have room to accommodate all the wineries in the region.
“We are doing some research to find out how feasible it might be for us to sell at farmers markets, talking to other wineries who are already engaged in farmers markets in other provinces, and really just waiting to see how each farmers market responds,” she concluded.
Steve Venables of Forbidden Fruit Winery said that he would like to be able to sell his winery’s products at farmers markets in conjunction with the fruits and vegetables grown on winery property
“We are a winery that is also a primary food producer,” Venables said. “There are a number of provinces that already allow the sale of wine at farmer’s markets and it not only is a great outlet for the winery, but it also enhances the ‘market experience’.
“If the government okays liquor sales at grocery stores, why not farmer’s markets?”
Venables speculated that opening up farmers markets to sales of locally produced alcoholic beverages could potentially lead to a market in Keremeos.
“We are a unique area, in that we have the ‘Fruit Stand’ experience. It remains to be seen if it can all work together,” he said.