The Pennsylvania Food Merchants Association testified before the Pennsylvania House Liquor Control Committee Feb. 11 in support of House Bill 1451, legislation that would allow licensed third-party transporters to deliver beer, wine and ready-to-drink cocktails on behalf of licensed Pennsylvania retailers.
The Camp Hill, Pennsylvania-based trade association called the bill a necessary update to the state’s Liquor Code that aligns Pennsylvania with 30 other states that have already implemented similar delivery models.
Economic case for grocers
PFMA’s testimony emphasized the financial pressure facing food retailers, noting that grocery operates on margins between one and three percent. For every dollar of revenue, a typical grocer keeps between one and three cents as profit after expenses and taxes.
“Our members have proven they are responsible partners in Pennsylvania’s evolving adult beverage marketplace,” said Alex Baloga, president and CEO of PFMA.
“As consumer expectations continue to shift toward delivery, we must ensure state law can support businesses operating in this evolving marketplace, while maintaining the safeguards that are critical to age-restricted products.”
PFMA argued the ability to include alcohol in a single grocery delivery order represents a meaningful revenue opportunity for members. As demand for grocery delivery grows, seamlessly adding a bottle of wine or a four-pack of canned cocktails to a grocery order is a significant value-add for both businesses and customers.
Safety standards and liability
A central focus of PFMA’s testimony was public safety. Under HB 1451, trained Class D Transporters-for-Hire would be responsible for verifying age and sobriety at the point of delivery. The bill codifies penalties for drivers who fail to follow age verification requirements.
The legislation also offers liability protection to licensed retailers. If a delivery driver illegally delivers alcohol to a minor or intoxicated person without the seller’s knowledge, the retailer is shielded from administrative citation, provided they processed the order correctly. Drivers must undergo training that covers age verification and how to identify visibly intoxicated persons.
HB 1451 amends the Liquor Code to exempt the handoff to a Class D Transporter-for-Hire from the requirement of using a transaction scan device at the store premises, shifting the scan to the point of delivery. PFMA argued this change will reduce delivery times, ease congestion at checkout lines and free up staff to serve in-store customers.
Modernizing the regulatory framework
Pennsylvania’s food retailers have demonstrated reliability in the adult beverage market since the implementation of Wine Expanded Permits and the subsequent addition of Ready-to-Drink Cocktail Permits. PFMA characterized HB 1451 as a continuation of that track record rather than a new expansion of responsibility.
The association described the bill as a “full basket” measure that gives consumers the dinner and drink experience increasingly viewed as a standard expectation nationwide. By enabling local businesses to reach consumers through delivery apps, PFMA argued dollars remain in Pennsylvania communities while empowering local merchants to compete with out-of-state platforms.
PFMA represents nearly 500 member companies that operate thousands of retail food stores, production facilities and distribution centers, collectively employing more than 350,000 Pennsylvanians. The association has advocated for the food and beverage industry across Pennsylvania since 1952.
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