State Senate OKs Alcohol Sales at Farmers’ Markets

BOSTON, MA — You won't find many alcoholic beverages at farmers' markets nowadays, but that may soon change. A bill (S.2513) allowing farmer brewers and farmer distillers to sell their products at farmers markets cleared the Massachusetts Senate Thursday.

The bill would allow farmers market vendors to apply for a special license with the market's respective local licensing authority to sell wine, malt beverages or distilled spirits in sealed containers. You won't be able to consume your find at the market, as products must be sold for off-premises consumption.

However, vendors may serve up to five samples of their product to prospective customers. Applicants must also submit a plan to the department of agricultural resources to prove that the event is an "agricultural event."

S. 2513, sponsored by the Senate Ways and Means committee is a new draft of S. 138 sponsored by Sen. Benjamin Downing (D-Pittsfield).

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