Food & Beverage
Maine’s vibrant food, beverage, and seafood industry is diversifying and innovating.
Maine continues a robust tradition of growing, harvesting, fishing, and manufacturing superior food, beverages, and seafood. Clean air and water, commitment to freshness and superior quality, and sustainable fisheries combine to create a unique brand that resonates with consumers around the world. In addition to Maine’s iconic lobster, wild blueberries, and potatoes, innovative food ventures are widespread throughout the state, including award-winning craft beers, chocolates, salsas, jams, sea vegetables, and more. Attention to best practices and the local sourcing of quality ingredients makes Maine a delectable and sustainable food destination.
Maine exports over $600 million in food, beverages, and seafood annually
More than 70% of Maine food and beverage manufacturing sales are outside of the state
Growing craft beer industry ranks Maine as one of highest per capital in the US
Connecting Farms, Food, and Community with Maine Grains & The Good Crust
Maine Grains has been re-localizing grain production and milling to support farmers and communities in the state, making a difference in Skowhegan, with the gristmill playing a middle role connecting local agriculture, product development, restaurants, and communities. Maine Grains, The Good Crust, and the University of Maine are collaborating to support the local grain economy, employ community members, and serve delicious food with a focus on heritage processes and modern ingenuity.
How Allagash Brewing Created One of the Most Award-Winning Wheat Beers In the World
Over its 30 years, Allagash White has won more awards than any other wheat beer in the world. Honoring a commitment to use more local ingredients, every beer in the diverse Allagash Brewing portfolio now includes Maine-grown grain.
New Commercial-Scale Food Production Lab Will Expand Markets Through Innovation
Maine’s food economy and related rural workforce are well-positioned to grow with new commercial-scale processing and production capacity that will come online by the end of 2025 at the University of Maine in Orono. The UMaine Food Innovation Lab is a $4.46 million project to support Maine’s food entrepreneurs and offer hands-on learning experiences for students.
Sparkling Wine Producer Adding Value for Maine Wild Blueberry Crops
Bluet, a Maine winery making 100% pure wild blueberry sparkling wine, is a mission-driven business supporting our community of independent family farms.
“If wild blueberry farms are to have a secure future here in Maine, we have to increase the price that they get for their crop. We have to add value to their crop, and wine is the highest value added product there is for fruit.”
Industry Support
Accelerating the creation of quality jobs and increasing revenue in two globally competitive and high-growth sectors – Maine’s food economy and bioeconomy – while also strengthening Maine’s workforce capacity
Supports US seafood, food, and agricultural companies entering international markets through export education, global connections, export strategies, and marketing financial assistance
For established food, beverage, or seafood companies looking to scale-up or more mature food, beverage, or seafood companies looking to expand markets regionally and/or nationally
The Division of Agricultural Resource Development programs including Real Maine focus on business development, market promotion, education, and regulation to assure that agricultural practices are economically and environmentally sound
To help established food and beverage companies expand and improve production capacity, create jobs, and meet targeted growth goals by offering funding for tailored consulting and access to financial resources and investor networking opportunities
To assist food businesses with food safety and quality testing, technical assistance, and education
In Good Company
International Investors
We’d love to hear from you to discuss your interest in this sector and Maine’s advantages.