Louisville, Kentucky (December 16, 2008) – Kentucky’s grocers today launched a statewide petition drive to assist their customers in communicating their support for a change in state law to allow grocery stores to sell wine in counties where the sale of alcoholic beverages by the package is currently allowed.
Initiative Responds to Consumer Demand to Purchase Wine with Food
Louisville, Kentucky (December 16, 2008) – Kentucky’s grocers today launched a statewide petition drive to assist their customers in communicating their support for a change in state law to allow grocery stores to sell wine in counties where the sale of alcoholic beverages by the package is currently allowed.
Kentucky is one of only 16 states that do not currently allow consumers to purchase wine in grocery stores. Each of Kentucky’s border states (with the exception of Tennessee) already allows consumers this fundamental choice.
Lifestyles have changed and wine has become an accepted part of a balanced and healthy diet when consumed in moderation. Nationally, in the 34 states which already allow grocery store wine sales consumer demand has propelled wine to the second fastest growing product category in grocery stores after bottled water. Today, many consumers expect the opportunity to purchase a bottle of wine to pair with their meal. Consumers in these states like the convenience of making one stop for all of their meal needs – including wine. It saves time, money and gas.
Luke B. Schmidt, a Louisville-based consultant retained by the Food with Wine Coalition stated, “Consumers have been asking grocery store managers across Kentucky for the opportunity to purchase a bottle of wine to go with their meal. The Coalition’s effort is in direct response to what our customers have been asking for.”
The petition drive will be conducted in 111 stores located in 39 cities in 28 counties where the sale of alcoholic beverages by the package is currently allowed (please see store list which follows this page), including: California Marketplace, Kroger, Houchens, IGA, Pic-Pac, Remke Markets, Riverside SuperValu, Slone’s Signature Markets, Stewart’s Foodliner, Sureway Supermarkets, and ValuMarket. The petition drive will also be supported with newspaper ads in selected markets. The petition drive’s dates and hours will vary by store, and you must be 21 years of age to sign the petition.
For those Kentuckians that don’t live near one of the participating stores but would still like to sign the petition, they may do so by visiting the Food with Wine Coalition Web site (http://www.foodwithwine.org/allowingwine.htm) and click on the link at the bottom of the page.
Schmidt commented that in addition to meeting consumer demand, there are also several additional reasons that support changing the law, including:
- The issue is pro-consumer in that it expands choice and competition in the wine marketplace
- The issue is pro-agriculture as it will add between 300 and 400 new sales outlets for Kentucky’s growing wine industry and will significantly increase the demand for Kentucky-grown grapes
- The issue is pro-Kentucky in that it will generate tens of millions of dollars in new revenue for the Commonwealth without adding a new tax or increasing an existing tax rate – a benefit which will extend to both wet and dry counties
“We encourage Kentuckians across the Commonwealth to take this first step in demonstrating their support for changing the law by signing the petition the next time that you shop in your favorite grocery store,” said Schmidt.
The Food with Wine Coalition is a not for profit organization that was established in 2007 by several members of Kentucky’s grocery store industry. The Coalition’s purpose is to educate and inform those living in Kentucky as to the advantages of allowing grocery stores to sell wine in wet and moist counties. Interested parties are invited to learn more about the issue by visiting the Coalition’s Web site (www.foodwithwine.org).