Mainebiz

W W W. M A I N E B I Z . B I Z 21 O C T O B E R 1 4 , 2 0 1 9 F O C U S M I D C O A S T & D OW N E A S T as maintaining production at profit- able levels and differentiating wild blueberries in consumers' eyes from cultivated ones. "We're a very small crop with very small companies, but there are outlets for product and market diversification," he says. at includes Wyman's, which despite a limited budget has "done an excellent job with the marketing." Cherryfield Foods, which doesn't have its own brand but sells to grocery stores for private-label use, has focused its innovation efforts mainly on packag- ing as well as on growing a better fruit, according to general manager David Bell, saying, "We're always trying to improve quality and lower defects." Working with the Ethos agency in Westbrook since 2013, the Wild Blueberry Association of North America uses targeted and social media "influencer" marketing to expand markets for blueberries, for example in schools. ere's even a website (www. wildblueberries.com) with recipes and health information. Ethos account strategist Mike Collins says the strategy has never been to degrade cultivated blueberries, but to show the health and taste advantages of the wild variety where you "get more flavor in every bite." Uncorking new opportunities Wyman's isn't the only wild blue- berry product innovator. In Scarborough, entrepreneurs Michael Terrien and Eric Martin are making sparkling wine from wild Maine blueberries. Five years after launching in Jefferson, they're up to 180 wholesale accounts across several states and working with Gray Harris at Coastal Enterprises Inc. to expand in what Terrien expects to be a $100 million market in 20 years. "ere's no higher value-added than wine for a fruit," he says. Back at Wyman's, Shurman and Carroll say they're open to the idea of a Wyman's smoothie product or co-promotions with almond- milk makers. "We're going to have to take our time and be really smart about the investment choices that we make," Shurman says, "and virtually all of them will include wild blueberry as the hero within." R e n e e C o r d e s , M a i n e b i z s e n i o r w r i t e r, c a n b e r e a c h e d a t r c o r d e s @ m a i n e b i z . b i z a n d @ r s c o r d e s OLD COMPUTERS CAN GO BACK TO WORK When your company donates its outdated technology, Goodwill creates jobs and keeps electronic waste out of landfills. Find out more: goodwillnne.org/Goodtech We refurbish computers, tablets, phones and peripherals, making technology affordable to everyone. " I've overseen several major school renovation projects, and I can honestly say Bowman Constructors far surpassed any contracting company I have worked with." - Scott K. Porter - Superintendent CONSTRUCTIVE SOLUTIONS FOR YOUR EDUCATIONAL BUILDING NEEDS www.bowmanconstructors.com 207.368.2405 info@bowmanconstructors.com P H O T O / C O U R T E S Y O F B L U E T Bluet, a sparkling wine made from Maine wild blueberries, is produced by entrepreneurs Michael Terrien and Eric Martin.

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