Governor Hochul signs Direct-to-Consumer Legislation into Law
(Beacon, NY_August 19, 2024) – The New York Cider Association is thrilled to announce Governor Hochul has signed into law the landmark Direct-to-Consumer Shipment Bill for Cider and Spirits. Sponsored by Senator Skoufis and Assemblymember Lupardo, this legislation finally allows NY Cider growers, producers, and farmers, as well as manufacturers of NY craft spirits and mead, to safely ship directly to their customers in New York and also to other states that allow shipment. The ability to direct ship was made available to NY Cider producers during the pandemic but that allowance was rescinded when the Executive Orders ended. Being able to ship directly to consumers was a lifeline during the pandemic and will mean that NY Cider small farmers, growers, and producers, can connect directly with their customers and build their businesses in a safe and effective way. This new direct-to-consumer legislation will take effect in 90 days just in time for the upcoming holiday season.
“After years of needing this for our emerging industry, we are so grateful for the leadership demonstrated by Governor Hochul in signing the Direct-to-Consumer Shipping Bill into law. With her signature, she has recognized the significant contribution our NY Hard Cider producers bring to the agricultural and tourism economy of their communities and to this state. This legislation not only establishes parity with the NY Wine industry but also strengthens NY Cider’s capability to build this growing category for all parties involved and respond to the consumer’s needs in a contemporary 2024 marketplace. By allowing our NY Cider growers, producers, and farmers the ability to ship their world class NY Ciders and directly connect with their customers to build their small businesses in a safe and meaningful way, this legislation helps to secure NY Cider’s leadership status in this industry while also fostering the growth of NY Cider’s economic impact and viability to our state’s agricultural landscape,” says Scott Ramsey, Executive Director, New York Cider Association.
“As a NY Cider producer and a multi-generational apple farmer, and after years of asking for the same ability that the NY Wine industry has had for decades, I am thrilled that our industry can finally ship our products to our customers! This common-sense legislation allows us to connect directly with our customers, build our brands, and bring our full potential to the NY Cider sector. Being able to build our markets via direct shipment creates an opportunity for us as small agricultural businesses to maintain our leadership status and expand the category of NY Cider into markets that have not existed before. This will encourage travel and tourism and allow us to continue to reach forward and fully embrace our place as The State of Cider. We are incredibly grateful to see the value of our work acknowledged and supported by the Governor in such a powerful way!” says Jonathan Oakes, Steampunk Cider and President, New York Cider Association.
“We’ve worked long and hard to achieve this obvious modern-day option for consumer choice across New York State as well as to achieve needed parity among the craft beverage industry sectors. Our sincere gratitude to Governor Hochul for signing the bill in time for the upcoming holiday season which provides farm cideries the opportunity to begin offering exciting cider options not found on the shelves to New York cider fans. The establishment of this new channel of trade will position New York farm cideries to continue supporting the Empire State’s extraordinary orchards and farms – Drink NY Apples!” says Sonya del Peral, Nine Pin Ciderworks and chair of NYCA’s Government Affairs Committee.
Directly tied to New York’s agricultural cash crop of apples, hard cider in New York has seen an unprecedented growth explosion of over 2400% over the past ten years and now has a $1.7 billion total economic impact to the NY state agricultural economy. With over 125 licensed producers making over 5 million gallons of cider every year, New York continues to lead the country in the number of active cideries and is second for apple growers in the country. To learn more and gain access to the newly launched NY Cider Trail app, visit www.newyorkcider.org.
