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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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CONTACT: Lauren Rooney |
State Rep. Tim Solobay |
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A little red, white and rosé at your local farmers’ market?
Solobay bill allowing sale of Pa. wines at farmers’ markets one step closer to reality
HARRISBURG, April 10 – Legislation introduced by state Rep. Tim Solobay, D-Washington, to allow Pennsylvania wines to be sold at farmers’ markets was unanimously approved by the House Liquor Control Committee today.
Solobay said that Pennsylvania wines are a significant part of the state’s agriculture industry and should be represented at farmers’ markets as his legislation (H.B. 896) would allow.
“Every type of product that is grown or processed within the Commonwealth has been allowed to be sold at our farmers’ markets, except wine -- even though wine is a big part of Pennsylvania agriculture,” Solobay said. “My bill, which has received wide bipartisan support, would expand the off-site retail outlets for wineries to include farmers’ markets.”
In addition to selling from their wineries, Pennsylvania winemakers may also have up to five retail outlets and may sell at festivals. However, farmers’ markets are not included as off-site retail outlets approved by the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board.
With more than 90 wineries, Pennsylvania ranks eighth in the nation in wine production. For more information on the state’s wine industry, visit www.pennsylvaniawine.com.
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Attention Radio News Directors: an actuality from Rep. Solobay is available by calling 1-800-452-3001. Enter PA48 (7-2-4-8) and the pound sign (#) at the menu prompt to get today’s sound. You can also download the sound in .mp3 format by visiting www.pahouse.com/mediacenter.