By
TIM FAULKNER/ecoRI.org News staff
A bill (pdf) introduced recently at the
Statehouse in Providence is looking to change that. A similar bill introduced
last year passed the House but died in a Senate committee.
The
legislation models itself on a 2010 Massachusetts law, which allows wineries to
sell directly at farmers markets and other agricultural events.
Last March, Massachusetts reported a 66 percent increase in local wine sales due to the expansion of sales at farmers markets.
The
Rhode Island bill would allow local wineries and "farmer breweries"
to offer free samples — up to five 1-ounce cups per customer — at indoor and
outdoor farmers markets. A special license is required. The bill also sets
yet-to-be determined guidelines for farmer-brewers. A new license would also
allow sales of locally brewed beer at farms.
Vermont,
New York, North Carolina and Washington permit craft beer sales at farmers
markets.
Massachusetts and Pennsylvania also have recently introduced bills to
allow local beer makers to sell at farmers markets.
In
Rhode Island, the bill is expected to receive opposition from the Rhode Island
Beverage Association. It fears the markets will hijack sales from traditional
liquor retailers.
In
a phone conversation with ecoRI News earlier this month, one of the bill's
sponsors Rep. Jared Nunes, D-Coventry, acknowledged the bill's likely
opponents, saying, "This bill does nothing to undercut Budweiser's
business. Most people in the state don't solely shop at farmers markets for all
their produce or alcohol."
The
bill was referred to the House Corporations Committee. No date has yet been set
for a hearing.