Mainebiz

V O L . X X X I N O. X X S E P T E M B E R 8 , 2 0 2 5 12 S TA R T U P S / E N T R E P R E N E U R S H I P $21.B niche poised to grow With the snacks market getting more crowded, buzzwords on labels can get confusing and downright mislead- ing as federal regulators struggle to keep pace, according to Jason Eastty, a Westborough, Mass.-based nutri- tion expert and owner of Healthspan Longevity, a provider of wellness services from weight-loss programs to multi- cancer early-detection tests. "Consumers need to pay attention to the information that companies try to put on labels including added sugars, sodium content and serving sizes," he says. "e front of package claims 'all natural' and 'made with whole grains' can be deceptive unless you check the nutrition facts and ingredient list on the back of the package." Underscoring that ultra-processed foods should be kept to a minimum, he says to "always go for whole foods when possible." While that fact is well-documented, even the biggest nutrition nerds are getting in on the snacking craze. at's fueling a $21.5 billion U.S. healthy snacks niche projected by GrandView Research to grow by 7.5% annually over the next five years, outpacing the broader industry. Social media is helping spread the popularity, though if tinned fish isn't your jam, there are also accounts show- casing trending bites from sea-cuterie boards that substitute seafood for salami to no-carb "sandwiches" bookended by juicy watermelon slices in place of bread. Snack retailers in Maine include Narrative Food, a tiny Deer Isle-based company that has gone through a few iterations since it was founded in 2010 — most recently as a purveyor of corporate food gifts "that tell a story." Examples include a "Popcorn for Piece Box" to raise money for World Central Kitchen's crisis relief work. Founder and CEO Jennifer Piette is a former screenwriter who moved here from California in 2023. Her focus this year is on working with Maine-based companies for a new line of "Build-Your- Own For Good Boxes" showcasing prod- ucts including 44 North Coffee's Royal Tar dark roast made with beans sourced from cooperative-owned farm, and "Pears for the People" sourced from Brooklin- based 5 Star Nursery & Orchard, which supports Wabanaki sovereignty through donations to Indigenous-led farms and advocacy for tribal rights. "Corporate buyers want to tell a great story, but it needs to be a great gift that people are going to enjoy," Piette says. Wondering where to begin? Sign up for a free virtual consultation to learn how Efficiency Maine can help at efficiencymaine.com/business-customer-consultation. Higher Efficiency Means Lower Costs We have incentives that can help your business reduce your costs now, and later. Efficiency Maine's Commercial & Industrial Prescriptive Initiative offers incentives that lower the cost of switching to energy-efficient HVAC, water heating, compressed air, refrigeration, and lighting. Upgrading to more energy-efficient equipment can improve system reliability, performance, and reduce your operating costs over time. P H O T O S / C O U R T E S Y O F N A R R AT I V E F O O D » C O N T I N U E D F RO M P R E V I O U S PA G E F O C U S Narrative Food, led by founder and CEO Jennifer Piette, specializes in corporate food gifts that "tell a story."

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