Event to Feature Over 50 Maine Food and Beverage Companies
Portland, ME – The Maine Center for Entrepreneurs (MCE) is excited to announce the return of the biennial Maine Food Producer Showcase & Golden Fork Awards, one of the largest B2B food producer trade shows in Maine. Scheduled for October 24th, 2024, from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM at Brick South on Thompson’s Point, this invite-only event will highlight the innovation and sustainability behind Maine’s vibrant food and beverage industry.
This year’s showcase will feature over 50 of Maine’s top food and beverage producers, giving retail, foodservice, and institutional buyers, distributors, and investors the chance to discover emerging brands as well as iconic Maine companies launching new products. Attendees will also have the unique opportunity to explore fresh ideas and build connections with businesses participating in MCE’s Food Accelerators and FoodTech programs.
Reflecting on the success of the previous event, Aaron Anker, Chief Granola Officer of Grandy Organics, shared, “We were blown away by the energy, the quality of fellow Maine producers’ products, and the engaging conversations we had with buyers at the inaugural event in 2022! We were also delighted to receive the Golden Fork Award for Retail Best in Show for our Original Coconola, which gave our product valuable exposure. We look forward to a great event and are even hoping we might win another award.”
A highlight of the event will be the announcement of the Maine Golden Fork Awards winners. Categories include Best in Retail, Best in Food Service, and Best New Product. The winners will be revealed at the October 24th showcase, following the Golden Fork Tasting Competition on September 27th at Southern Maine Community College. This competition will bring together the best of Maine’s food producers in a celebration of culinary innovation.
Kim Kuusela, Local Merchandising Specialist at Hannaford Supermarkets, expressed Hannaford’s enthusiasm for the event: “Hannaford remains deeply committed to our Shop Local program, which we are proud to know has served as a launching platform for many of Maine’s most successful brands. We are thrilled to participate in this year’s Maine Food Producer Showcase. This great event not only creates a connection with our current local suppliers, but it also provides the opportunity to discover promising new brands and support the Maine Center for Entrepreneurs.”
This year’s event is anticipated to experience substantial growth. Naomi Neville, Program Manager of MCE’s Food Accelerators, remarked, “We expect the Maine Food Producers Showcase to be our largest yet, with approx. 50% more exhibitors and attendees. We’ve placed a strong focus on drawing buyers and distributors from across Maine, New England, and the Northeast.”
How to Attend:
To attend the event, food industry businesses can register through the event webpage at mced.biz.