If the State Senate Appropriations Committee approves Assembly Bill 2520, farmers markets across the state will be able to offer wine to local patrons. The bill, authored by Thomson, allows wineries to market their product directly at certified farmers markets. According to a press release from Thomson's office, the bill is directly aimed to help smaller wineries, rather than those already distributed in large outlets such as grocery stores. Just like other foods and goods provided at farmers markets, the bill limits the sale of wine to producers who also grow their own grapes. According to Craig Reynolds, a representative from Thomson's office, the state Rep.'s interest in this bill lies in her attention to the importance of small farmers.
Farmers markets are a key participant in helping the family farm stay in existence.
For at least some wineries this could be a critical part of their marketing. Marketing is a key factor in the stability of small wineries, whose only other outlets may be local wine tasting. Additionally, wineries are restricted to two avenues through which to sell their product, this bill allows farmers markets to remain separate from the two venues chosen by wineries, giving producers a third outlet in which to market their product. Wineries are limited to the amount of alcohol they can sell at the markets to approximately 2,100 cases annually. According to Dan Bess of the California General Federation of Certified Farmers Markets, the limit imposed is a substantial one.