Agricultural Products, Foods, & Beverages

Maine’s abundant land and talented farmers/makers/entrepreneurs are creating a vibrant context for further growth in the Agricultural sector. The resources below highlight many of the many programs, funding opportunities, and networking opportunities.

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Visit the bottom of the page to access the Maine Resource Compass, a searchable directory of resources across the State to help you fund and grow your business.

Domestic Trade Programs & Resources

Food Product Manufacturing Export Profile - Report on sales and employment released in February 2022.
Maine Farm and Seafood Products Directory - In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, increased demand for local produce and seafood has resulted in adaptive farm-to-table strategies across the state. To expand consumer access to your operation, add your listing to this interactive producer map presented by the University of Maine Cooperative Extension.
CEI Sustainable Agriculture Food Program - Free business advising as well as financing opportunities for agricultural & food-related enterprises
- Maine Tastemakers Initiative - Offers financing, consulting, networking, and market analytics opportunities to help food and beverage companies grow
Maine Center for Entrepreneurs Top Gun Program - A 15 week learning experience and competition for entrepreneurs with the desire to grow. The winner(s) gets a check for $25,000.
MCE Cultivator Program - Hurdle strategic barriers and expand your business to scale with Maine’s first food, beverage, and agriculture scale-up accelerator program.
MCE MarketShare Accel Program - Value-added producers can gain access to industry/market data, professional coaching, and tailored assessments to better understand their business and its needs.
SBIR/STTR Technical Assistance Program (TAP) - If you’re in need of high-risk, early stage technology financing, MTI’s TAP program offers funding and technical assistance to help you craft your winning proposal.

Grants & Loans

Agricultural Development Fund - Cost-share grants to increase market knowledge, improve processing capabilities, and more
Agricultural Marketing Loan Fund - Need financing for a project? AMLF can help finance your idea and improve your enterprise’s manufacturing, marketing, and production capabilities.
USDA Coronavirus Food Assistance Program - Provide eligible producers with financial assistance that gives them the ability to absorb some of the increased marketing costs associated with the COVID-19 outbreak.
Northeast Dairy Business Innovation Center Grants - Offers grants to dairy farmers, processors, and service providers, example programs include innovation, agritourism, and marketing; please visit their website to review current and upcoming grant programs
Potato Marketing Improvement Fund - Low interest financing to improve the potato industry's marketability, quality, and economic feasibility
USDA Value Added Producer Grant - Helps value-added agricultural producers enter value-added activities related to the processing and marketing of new products, via generating new products, developing and expanding marketing opportunities, and increasing producer income.
USDA Farmer's Market Promotion Program - Funds projects that aid local and regional consumer access to agricultural products
USDA Local Food Promotion Program - The LFPP seeks to foster local agricultural systems infrastructure, funding projects that foster the capabilities of business enterprises that actively coordinate and connect consumers to their regional and local producers.
USDA Regional Food System Partnerships - This program builds the bridge between private and public resources with an aim to bolster local food economies and eliminate needless technical and administrative barriers.

USDA Specialty Crop Block Grant Program - This is a competitive grant program, solicited once a year, which funds market research, market promotion and new technology projects specifically to benefit specialty crop producers.

Trade Shows & Events

The Maine Agricultural Trades Show - Submit a request to attend the Department of Agriculture, Conservation, & Forestry's annual trades event , where you can network with Maine's agricultural leaders, learn about or provide technical information & training, and discover your role in fostering Maine's flourishing agricultural identity for years to come. Event dates are mid-January
DACF Market Promotion, Exhibitor Opportunities, and Special Events - Stay updated and apply for the latest upcoming trade shows and exhibits with the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation, and Forestry
Eastern States Exposition (The Big E) - Apply here to be part of the State of Maine Building exhibit venue at New England's largest fair -The Big E.
Winter Fancy Foods Show - Show off your product at the largest specialty food and beverage show on the West Coast. Visit DACF's website to plan your exhibit with the Maine Pavilion
Summer Fancy Foods Show - Come back for the Summer Fancy Foods Show and meet buyers from every large-scale domestic and international food & beverage buying channel. Visit DACF's website to plan your exhibit with the Maine Pavilion (Returns 2021).
PMA Fresh Summit - The Produce Marketing Association's annual event is going virtual this year from October 13th-15th. To learn more about it, consider attending their webinar on August 13th, where they will be discussing the details surrounding this year's summit.
National Restaurant Association Show - Network with industry professionals in the restaurant, food service, & hospitality industries. Once applications for 2021 open, you can visit DACF's website and submit an application to attend under the Real Maine banner.
Process Expo - Discover new technological innovations, learn about emerging trends, and mingle with industry experts at the largest food and beverage processing trade show in the USA.
Open Farm Day 2021 - The annual Open Farm Day teaches visitors about the business of agriculture. Visit DACF's website to learn more.

Brand Membership

Real Maine - Promoting Maine agricultural products and services to out-of-state consumers under a unified banner
Maine Made - The Maine Made Program is operated via the Maine Department of Economic and Community Development to assist Maine makers and artisans with enhanced market exposure and increased revenues through its nationally recognized branding.
Maine Outdoor Brands - A cohesive Maine outdoor products and services program that includes outdoors-themed food producers

To find more Agricultural Products, Foods, & Beverages resources please explore the Maine Resource Compass below. You can search this living database to build your network, grow your knowledge base and find funding opportunities. These resources come from all across the entrepreneurial ecosystem — in Maine and beyond.