Setting a record in 2015 with more than $3 million in sales, farmers markets in Delaware have never been more popular.

That said, a noticeable segment of the locally produced food market has been absent from the scene. Those sales figures would no doubt increase if the state’s craft brewers, farm wineries and small-batch distilleries could sell their products at those markets.

A bill introduced Jan. 7 by Rep. Lyndon Yearick, R-Dover South, is looking to make the inclusion of that group possible.

House Bill 228 reverses the law prohibiting the sampling and sale of craft beer, distilled spirits and wine at farmers markets or agriculturally themed events.

Rep. Ruth Briggs King, R-Georgetown, is a co-sponsor of the legislation. She said she thinks adding this group of Delaware-made products will be a good fit for the markets.

Using Georgetown’s farmers market at 16 Mile Brewery as an example, King said some of the local breweries have already been hosting the markets. Another example is the Milton Farmers Market, which is hosted by Dogfish Head every fourth Friday during the season.

Farmers markets have become social events in addition to being places where people can also pick up fresh produce, King said.

Zachary King, president of the Rehoboth-based Delaware Distilling Company, said he wouldn’t expect a huge change in income because of the law, but, he continued, it certainly has the possibility to create exposure for his, or any, company.

“It would be nice,” he said.

Sharon Dardine, Historic Lewes Farmers Market board member, said the board doesn’t have enough information on the bill to have an informed opinion. It certainly is an interesting idea, she said.

Even if the law does change, craft alcohol vendors might still have a hard time finding a place to sell their wares.

Dardine said the number of vendors is limited at the market in Lewes because of space. She said existing vendors rarely drop out, and when they do, there’s a list of willing participants.

“We have a certain capacity,” she said. “We can’t keep expanding.”

The legislation limits the amount of beer, mead, wine or spirits a vendor is allowed to sell in one day. The first three alcohols are limited to 200 liters, which is equal to about 6,763 ounces or 564 12-ounce beers, and spirits are limited to 100 liters.

The bill also allows for vendors to give samples - tastings - of their product. Similar to before, sample size is regulated - up to one ounce of beer, mead and wine; up to half an ounce of spirits; not more than five samples per individual per day.

Finally, the bill requires the Department of Agriculture to certify an event is what a vendor says its going to be - an agriculturally themed event or farmers market.

The bill was reported out of the House Agricultural Committee Jan. 20.