The Tennessee Grocers & Convenience Store Association is pleased to announce that TopShelf has been endorsed as the association’s preferred Responsible Vendor Training Program. TopShelf was the first public training program certified by the Tennessee ABC. As a third party trainer, TopShelf is able to provide Train the Trainer materials for retailers to use in-house or public training classes for retail employees to attend and become certified under the new Responsible Vendor Law.

TGCSA members receive exclusive discounts from TopShelf. A 50% discount for Train the Trainer materials along with a nearly 25% discount on training workbooks and 20% discounts for public training classes. 

NOT A TGCSA MEMBER? 
Click HERE to join today or call 615-889-0136.

About the TopShelf program:

            - It is geared to convenience and grocery stores

      - TopShelf focuses on carding procedures and appropriate intervention

      - Instructors can tailor the material for their class or location needs

     - TopShelf covers state and local law in detail

     - Online database allows easy access to status of your employees’ certifications

     - Cost effective

     - Company logos and policies can be added to materials for larger companies

     - All class certification reporting to the Tennessee ABC provided

     - On site test grading

     - TopShelf can enter student information if retailer doesn’t have access to the web

     - Materials for the annual updates

It takes many months and much frustration to write and get a program certified. TopShelf is ready to go.

The costs of these services are broken down into member and non-member prices:

Train the Trainer Prices:

Train the Trainer Instructor certification 1^st time per location:
Non-Member                        TGCSA Member
$250.00                                 $125.00

Train the Trainer Instructor certification for replacements:         
Non-Member                       TGCSA Member
$125.00                                $75.00

Workbooks (does not include sales tax/shipping):                   
Non-Member                       TGCSA Member
$13.00                                  $10.00

Public Classes:   
Non-Member                     TGCSA Member   
$35 - $50                           20% Discount

Public instructors set their own price.  The discount would be offered through participating instructors and instructors determine the amount of discount offered. Price includes workbook. Classes available throughout the state.      

Prices for Train the Trainer and Public Classes include:

- Printing and mailing all needed certificates

- Inputting information for instructors when needed

- Complete access to the database

- Reporting necessary information to Tennessee ABC

TopShelf is based in Tennessee and has many years experience with alcohol beverage training certification and working with the Tennessee ABC.

For more information contact Kim Pouncey or Melinda Wolfe at 866.681.7880 or 865.300.6246 or go to www.topshelfrbs.com

The final rules have been approved and training programs may now be submitted to the ABC for approval. Contact Hayword Reed with the ABC at 615-741-1602 ext 125 for details.

For the approved Responsible Vendor Act rules including a summary of the act, and the Responsible Vendor statute (public act no. 864).  Click Here.

The Responsible Vendor Act went into effect July 1, 2007.

The Tennessee Responsible Vendor Act of 2006 (SB3316 by Senator Joe Haynes/HB3210 by Representative Gary Moore), which passed the Tennessee General Assembly in 2006, is an innovative and strong step in the fight against underage drinking. The mandatory ID provision of this law is the first of its' kind in the country and establishes Tennessee as a national leader on the underage issue. 

Retailers are also required to post signs that are at least 8-1/2" x 11" and contain the following language:  

STATE LAW REQUIRES IDENTIFICATION FOR THE SALE OF BEER

Secondly, it establishes the "Responsible Vendor Program" which will be administered by the Tennessee Alcoholic Beverage Commission.  This is a voluntary program.  To become a "Responsible Vendor" a retailer will be required to have each of their clerks complete a server training course approved by the ABC.  The law gives the ABC authority over the training requirements while local beer boards maintain their authority over all aspects of the beer permit process. The local beer boards must take into account the retailer's status as a Responsible Vendor when fines and/or suspensions take place.

To print and read a complete overview click here.

NEWS RELEASE

UNIVERSAL CARDING BEGINS IN TENNESSEE ON JULY 1

Tennessee retailers say state law is tool to prevent teens from buying beer

NASHVILLE, TENN., June 19, 2007 – Beginning on July 1, anyone who buys beer at a retail store in Tennessee should be prepared to show photo I.D. with proof of age.  Tennessee is the first state in the nation to require universal carding for purchases of beer for off-premises consumption.   Universal carding does not apply to bars, restaurants, or liquor stores where only liquor and wine can be purchased.

The Tennessee Oil Marketers Association (toma.org), whose members own convenience stores, and Tennessee Grocers and Convenience Store Association want customers to be ready for the new law (tngrocer.org/responsiblevendor).  Retailers support universal carding as a tool to prevent beer sales to teens and reduce underage drinking.

Some convenience and grocery stores in Tennessee already require all customers, regardless of age, to show I.D. for beer purchases.  Daily’s Convenience Stores, which has more than sixty locations in Tennessee, implemented the strict policy two years ago. Bo Lanier, vice president for Daily’s, says it’s made a difference.

“Universal carding takes the guess work out of deciding whether a customer is underage or not,” said Lanier.  “We owe it to the communities in which we operate to prevent underage customers from buying beer.”

Roadrunner Markets, which has 47 locations in the Tri-Cities, also began carding all customers last year. John Kelly, chief operating officer of Roadrunner Markets, says customers quickly adapted to the stricter carding procedures and arrive at the counter with an I.D.

“The universal carding law means that all retailers are on the same page,” said Kelly.  “There will be consistent training of clerks. Customers can expect to have their I.D. checked at any store in Tennessee that sells beer.”

In addition to universal carding, the Tennessee Responsible Vendor Act of 2006 creates the Responsible Vendor Program, which is administered by the Tennessee Alcoholic Beverage Commission (ABC).  A retailer qualifies as a Responsible Vendor if store clerks complete extra training approved by the ABC. 

The Responsible Vendor Act gives the ABC authority over training requirements for clerks while local beer boards maintain their authority over the beer permit process. Civil penalties against Responsible Vendors for underage sales will differ from retailers that are not certified.

Founded in 1978, Tennessee Grocers and Convenience Store Association represents 140 grocery retail members representing 700 grocery store locations, and 73 convenience store members representing 434 convenience store locations. 

# # #