(Portland, Maine – September 7, 2023) – The Maine Center for Entrepreneurs (MCE) is proud to announce its participation at the upcoming Natural Products Expo East trade show in Philadelphia, scheduled for September 21-23, 2023. This year’s exhibition promises to be an exceptional showcase of innovation and sustainability within Maine’s thriving food and beverage industry.
MCE’s Food & Beverage Accelerators will be at the forefront of the event, exhibiting alongside a distinguished group of award-winning member companies that includes Atlantic Sea Farms, Bristol Seafood, Diggables, Maine Crisp, and Simply Served. These members represent the very best of Maine’s food and beverage landscape, epitomizing the state’s commitment to quality and innovation.
One of the highlights of this year’s Natural Products Expo East will be the “Make it Maine” Cocktail Reception, hosted by MCE on Friday, September 22nd from 3 – 5pm. Attendees can look forward to a delightful evening featuring Signature Maine Beverages, Surf & Turf Appetizers, and Tasty Maine Snacks. This exclusive event offers a unique opportunity for targeted buyers from leading grocers, retailers, and distributors within the natural and specialty foods industry to explore and savor the diverse range of products and meet the passionate founders and innovators of the Maine food community.
Sue Hanson, MCE’s Food Accelerator Program Manager, expressed excitement about their involvement in the trade show, saying, “We are working closely with the show organizers to promote and showcase our Maine members’ brands. Additionally, we are leveraging valuable B2B opportunities through our ‘Make it Maine’ cocktail reception, where key buyers in the natural and specialty foods sector will have the chance to discover and appreciate the incredible offerings from Maine’s food industry.”
The Maine Center for Entrepreneurs’ Cultivator and MarketShare food accelerators, established several years ago with generous support from FocusMaine, have played a pivotal role in nurturing high-quality Maine food producers and driving job growth through regional and national business development initiatives. To date, these unique food accelerator programs have supported more than 80 Maine food and beverage companies, elevating the state’s reputation as a hub for exceptional culinary creations.
