Montgomery committee debates on-site tasting at farmers market; staff to consult ABC and market liaison

Township staff notified the committee that the New Jersey Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control issued a seasonal farm-market permit to Luscious Spirits allowing sales in original containers and up to three half-ounce tasting samples at the Montgomery Friends of Open Space Farmers Market. The committee discussed whether the municipality should request special conditions to reduce the risk of on-site consumption and exposure to children.

Staff emphasized the permit is for carry-out product sales and tasting only and that servers must be state-certified; they described the three-sample limit and said vendors cannot open containers on-site. As staff put it in the record, "They can't open the containers on the premises. It's just to taste the sample and take the alcohol home in closed containers." (staff remark recorded in the meeting.)

Committee concerns and recommended steps: several committee members said the proximity to the municipal library, planned inclusive playground and children's activities warranted caution. Suggestions included requiring the vendor to post a notice that products must not be opened on-site, siting the booth away from children's activities, having the farmers-market liaison confirm placement and asking staff to contact the ABC for examples of conditions other municipalities impose. One member suggested requiring the vendor to tell purchasers that the bottles may not be opened on-site and to post rules at the booth.

Next steps: staff agreed to reach out to the Division of ABC and the market liaison and to report back with recommended conditions and any precedent from other municipalities. The committee did not take a final formal vote restricting the permit at the meeting; committee members directed staff to gather more information and to coordinate with the farmers market organizers.