40 communities allow liquor sales at farmers’ markets
NEWS — When Kamloops City council agreed this week to let the Kamloops Farmers Market allow the sampling and sale of local wines and beers, it joined a quickly growing legion of communities that are already doing it.
Some councillors and staff mentioned they’d heard of several other cities that have allowed it. But the B.C. Justice Ministry said today (Thursday) that since liquor laws were relaxed in June, more than 40 communities — from Creston Valley to the Cowichan Valley and from Maple Ridge to Gibsons — are permitting farmers’ markets to feature local spirts.
The ministry said more than 100 B.C. manufacturers of beer, wine, cider and spirits are involved. The manufacturer applies directly to the farmers’ market, which then decides whether or not to allow it depending on municipal bylaws.
In the case of Kamloops, the farmers’ market’s permit will be amended on a pilot basis for the rest of this year but the market must re-apply if it wants to do it again next year.
City staff had recommended an extensive public-input process before approving the farmers’ market’s request.
The addition of liquor sales at B.C. farmers’ markets is a great extension of the Buy Local and Make it, Bake it, Grow it, philosophies,” said B.C. Association of Farmers’ Markets president Jon Bell.
“These recent changes have been seen as positive by vendors and customers.”
ArmchairMayor.ca 
And I am willing to bet that those 40 other communities that have allowed this in their local farmers market did not wank, whine, and take forever to make a simple decision like Kamloops council did.
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