New additions to farmers’ markets such as Market on Main are the booths of local wineries offering tasting and sales.
Locally based distilleries and craft brewers can also sell and offer samples of their products at farmers’ markets.
The change is the result of liquor reforms introduced by the provincial government last year.
The man who spearheaded the consultation process leading to the changes, MLA John Yap of Richmond-Steveston, was in Osoyoos on Saturday to see how the new regulations are working on the ground.
At least as far as farmers’ markets go, these changes seem to be for the better.
Liquor laws have always had to balance competing interests.
For those wanting to sell or purchase liquor, liberalization of laws makes a lot of sense.
In the case of some liquor laws, there are public safety issues. Lawmakers have to be concerned about any changes to laws that might encourage public drunkenness or impaired driving.
Many of the older liquor laws, however, date back to a time when temperance moral values were imposed on society. In some of these cases, there is no public safety argument.
In recent years, the number of craft breweries, family-run wineries and even craft distilleries has grown exponentially.
The problem that many of these local producers have is getting exposure through liquor stores that themselves were large monopolies until recent years.
Even now, only the larger wineries can get more than one ot two varieties into government liquor stores.
Wine, beer and spirits consumers are also becoming more sophisticated. Many seek out interesting and unique tastes.
Here in the Okanagan especially, we are blessed with an excellent range of small wineries.
Because of its wineries, fruits and vegetables, the Okanagan is increasingly marketing itself as a destination for “foodies.”
For wine tourists, there is a sense in discovery with visiting wineries, fine restaurants or farmers’ markets.
This sense of discovery somehow gets lost in translation at the liquor store.
Any liquor law liberalization is sure to provoke some scrutiny from those who are concerned about public safety. And so it should.
But people going to a farmers’ market to get intoxicated should not be a serious concern.
The samples offered are very small and there is a limit to the number of samples a booth will provide.
All wine servers are required to have Serving it Right certification, which means they know how to pour responsibly.
At Market on Main, no more than three liquor vendors are allowed to serve at any one market event.
And while it may be a generalization, people interested in sampling locally made, high-quality wines tend not to be those who drink to get drunk.
There is a great synergy between shopping for organic fruit and vegetables and picking up a bottle of local wine to consume with them. It enhances the market experience and helps to convince people to return.
These reforms are in tune with the times. Sometimes the government gets it right.
