MA law changes impact alcohol sales at farmers markets
With a sweep of her pen, Gov. Maura Healey signed proposed changes to the state’s liquor licensing rules into law, allowing permanent residents and green-card holders to apply for and receive licenses.
The provision was included in the $4 billion economic development bond bill Healey signed into law last month.
“This is good for Massachusetts,” said Ralph Sacramone, executive director of the Massachusetts Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission., which has jurisdiction over licensing.
The changes, already in effect throughout the state, allow any documented immigrant to apply for a liquor license, Sacramone said. In the past, a noncitizen could be a shareholder in a corporation or a limited liability company that was issued a liquor license, but could not be a sole proprietor of a business or company, or be in a straight partnership, and qualify for a liquor license.
“We have been advocating for this change for years,” Sacramone said. “It’s a change that is very good for everybody.”
The state has issued more than 13,000 retail liquor licenses for restaurants, hotels, social clubs, package stores and convenience stores, with some 3,500 held by package stores. Another 38,000 licenses are held by distributors, wholesalers and similar businesses.
“This reform will increase the participation of immigrants with expertise in wine, beer and spirits in the alcohol industry,” said Sen. Jamie Eldridge, D-Marlborough, one of the sponsors of the bill that was embedded in the economic bond measure. “It will create jobs and align the liquor laws with the overwhelmingly welcoming stance of Massachusetts to immigrants as reflected in our laws.”
Eldridge and Rep. Dan Sena, D-Acton, were prompted to file the legislation when they learned the owners of Maynard Pizza House, Brazilian nationals who are green-card holders, were barred from applying for a liquor license.
“These folks are just as integrated and as dedicated to the community as any U.S. citizen,” said Vanessa DePaula, owner of Maynard’s Pizza & Bar, adding that all residents of the country should be afforded the same opportunity to build a business.
Expanding alcohol sales at farmers markets
The bill also changed sales of alcoholic beverages at local farmers markets. Farmer vintners and wineries have been allowed to set up booths for samples and off-premises consumption for more than a dozen years; now farmer-brewers, craft beer makers and farmer-distillers of hard liquor will also enjoy the privilege.
“This is exciting in so many ways,” said Edith Murnane, executive director of Mass Farmers Markets, a charitable organization that partners with farmers, consumers and communities to enhance local farm viability through farmers markets.
Local farmers markets are important sales outlets for farmers, Murnane said, explaining that direct sales are the most profitable way for farmers to do business.
“The bill enables sales for a broader selection of farmers and value-added producers,” Murnane said. “This opens markets to a much wider vendor category.”
The state has more than 200 farmers’ markets, spread throughout the state; while most operate during the growing season, spring through late fall, some communities have indoor winter markets and special holiday markets.
Calls for comment to the Massachusetts Package Store Association were not immediately returned.
While the Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission oversees the overall liquor sales market in the state, the one-day licenses for community farmers markets will be reviewed and approved locally.
To set up a stall at a farmers market, it must first be certified as an agricultural event by the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources. Once the market gets the nod from the agency, municipal officials can issue the day license to the vendor.
A spokesperson for the agricultural department said the state agency is reviewing the provision pertaining to expanded alcohol sales at farmers markets to understand its role and how it will impact the department.
Enthusiasm in Worcester
“This change couldn’t come at a better time,” said Victoria Mariano, Downtown Worcester Business Improvement District program director. “As we gear up to expand the Out to Lunch Festival & Farmers Market in Summer 2025, the chance to welcome brewers and distillers to join in could add a whole new flavor to what’s already a beloved Downtown tradition. Imagine sampling a local craft brew while enjoying live music and shopping for fresh local produce — it’s the kind of dynamic experience that can keep Downtown Worcester buzzing with energy.”
The organization has already received inquiries about participating in Out to Lunch from brewers like KrafTea Kombucha, and organizers look forward to working with more local producers to explore how this fits into the plans.
“Bringing brewers and distillers into the mix for events like Out to Lunch and other farmers markets is exciting not just for them but for Downtown Worcester as a whole,” said Julian Wade, the Downtown Worcester Business Improvement District board chair. “This change creates more opportunities for unique, local experiences that make our downtown a vibrant destination for culture and connection. The potential to support independent producers in this way fuels our local economy and can give residents and visitors another great reason to spend more time in the heart of Worcester.”
The inability to sell to-go products at farmers markets limited opportunities for breweries to showcase their beers and connect with their communities, said Adam Romanow, president of the Mass Brewers Guild and founder and CEO of Castle Island Brewing Co.
“When breweries succeed, the ripple effect benefits farmers, suppliers and everyone involved in bringing local craft beer to life,” Romanow added. “This law supports small businesses, stimulates job creation, and enhances community connections.”
Beyond driving brewery growth, advocates say the measure will create jobs and strengthen ties between breweries and local farms.
“This levels the playing field,” said Andrea Stanley, co-owner of Valley Malt, a Holyoke-based supplier of malt to craft brewers throughout the Northeast for the last 15 years. To date, only wineries have been able to set up stalls at farmers markets; now local producers of other alcoholic beverages can as well.
Stanley is excited for the producers the organization partners with – farmers who grow the wheat, rye and barley the organization makes into malt; and the brewers who use the malt.
“This localizes production and creates a more robust local economy,” Stanley said. Traditionally, malts are mass-produced by large corporations, and craft brewers also import malts from Germany and Canada.
Stanley called the legislation a lifeline for the state’s craft brewers who have been struggling over the last year. She attributed the lack of sales to lower consumption of alcoholic beverages, a switch to hard seltzers that are perceived to be healthier, and a switch to cannabis.
“This is a positive development; it will stimulate the local economy,” Stanley said.
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