Farmers Market Authorization/Endorsement

The WSLCB authorizes farmers markets that wish to allow Washington wineries and breweries to sell product of their own production for off-premises consumption, and endorses qualified in-state wineries and breweries who wish to sell their product at a farmers market.

 

Farmers Market Authorization

  • Authorizes a qualified farmers market to have Washington wineries and breweries sell products of their own production for off-premises consumption
  • Cost: free
  • Application for Farmers Market Authorization: English | Korean | Spanish
  • Return application 50 days before you want to allow sales to:
    • Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board
      Licensing and Regulation - MIW
      P.O. Box 43085
      Olympia, WA 98504-3085
  • A farmers market must receive authorization from the WSLCB to allow a Washington winery or brewery to sell bottled wine or beer for off-premises consumption
  • For qualified farmers markets (see below)
  • Provide map showing all booths, stalls or other designated locations where bottled wine or beer may be sold with your application
  • The WSLCB will post a public notice for 14 days at your market
  • The local authority and any schools, churches or public institutions within 500 feet of the market will be notified and will have 20 days to respond with concerns or objections
  • The farmers market must meet the following qualifications to have wineries or breweries sell its products (RCW 66.24.170, RCW 66.24.240, and RCW 66.24.244 subsection 5):
    • The market must sponsor a regular assembly of vendors at a defined location, for the purpose of promoting the sale of agricultural products grown or produced in Washington directly to consumers.
    • The market must have at least five participating vendors that are farmers selling their own agricultural products.
    • "Farmer" means a person who sells, with or without processing, agricultural products raised on land he/she owns or leases in Washington or in a county that borders the state.
    • The total combined gross annual sales of vendors that are farmers must exceed the total combined gross annual sales of vendors who are processors or resellers.
    • A "processor" means a person who sells processed food personally prepared on land he or she owns or leases in Washington or in a county that borders the state. A "reseller" means a person who buys agricultural products from a farmer and resells the products directly to consumers.
    • The total combined gross annual sales of vendors who are farmers, processors, or resellers must exceed the total combined gross annual sales of all other vendors.
    • The market may not have vendors that sell imported items or secondhand items or who are franchisees.

 

Farmers Market Endorsement

  • Allows in-state wineries and breweries to sell and sample product of their own production at a WSLCB authorized farmers market
  • Cost: $75 a year
  • Farmers Market Endorsement: English | Korean | Spanish
  • Return application and fee 14 days before you want to sell to:
    • Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board
      Licensing and Regulation - MIW
      P.O. Box 43085
      Olympia, WA 98504-3085
  • For qualified Washington wineries, breweries and microbreweries (see below)
  • Allows you to sell your own bottled wine or beer at an authorized farmers market for off-premises consumption
  • Allows you to sample your own bottled wine or beer at an authorized farmers market:
    • Each sample must be two ounces or less, up to a total of two ounces per customer per day.
  • For each month you plan to sell your beer or wine at a farmers market, you must provide the WSLCB with a list of the markets you will sell at for the following month, and the dates and times you plan to sell.
  • Qualifications:
    • Wineries and microbreweries must be located in Washington State and have a valid Washington domestic winery or microbrewery license (a “microbrewery” produces less than 60,000 barrels of beer a year)
    • In-state domestic breweries (breweries that produce 60,000 barrels of beer a year or more) may apply if they meet the qualification for the reduced tax rate in RCW 66.24.290
    • Wine sold at an authorized farmers markets must be made entirely from grapes grown in a recognized Washington appellation or from other agricultural products grown in the state. Beer sold at a farmers market must be produced in Washington
  • Wineries and breweries may not store wine or beer at a farmers market beyond the hours that it offers bottled wine or beer for sale, and may not act as a distributor from the market location.
  • Please keep in mind this endorsement is part of your winery or brewery license, and you have the responsibility to follow all liquor laws and rules. Violations are grounds for the WSLCB to take away your endorsement and to take administrative action against your winery or brewery license