Liquor Sales at Farmers’ Markets
Eligibility and requirements for selling liquor at farmers’ markets in BC
The Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch (LCRB) oversees liquor sales at farmers’ markets in BC, and there are clear rules in place for both market organizers and vendors (liquor manufacturers). For full details on what’s required, please visit the LCRB website.
Market Organizers
Organizers of eligible artisan, farmers and annual markets can let liquor manufacturers with the necessary authorization:
- Provide liquor samples
- Sell liquor products for off-site consumption
Liquor manufacturers include:
- Wineries, breweries and distilleries
- Cideries and meaderies
Please keep in mind that if you want to invite liquor manufacturers to your market, first contact your local government or Indigenous Nation to find out if there are local bylaws or policies preventing the sale of packaged liquor and/or samples at a market.
Vendors (Liquor Manufacturers)
Only licensed liquor manufacturers with an on-site store endorsement are permitted to sell packaged liquor and samples at markets.
If you are a liquor manufacturer and want to sell at an artisan, farmers or annual market you must:
- Apply for a market authorization
- Confirm that the local government or Indigenous Nation at the market’s location allows the sale of packaged liquor at markets
- Make sure the market is eligible
FAQ
- VQA wine must be made from 100% BC grapes to qualify for the BCVQA designation under the regulation
- Spirits from a distillery designated as “craft” must be fermented or distilled using 100% BC agricultural input
- There is no similar program for beer or cider at this time