Mainebiz

W W W. M A I N E B I Z . B I Z 7 N OV E M B E R 2 , 2 0 2 6 AN EVENING BUILT AROUND CONNECTION Celebrating Maine's family businesses and the people behind them. SPECIAL GUESTS | THE FAMILY STORY BEHIND LOUISVILLE SLUGGER WHEN: Thursday, November 19 | 5:00 – 8:30 PM WHERE: Thompson's Point, Brick South, Portland, ME & Virtual FOR VIRTUAL OR IN - PERSON TICKETS VISIT FAMBUSINESS.ORG Hosted by Amanda Hill NEWS CENTER Maine Kevin Zoeller Andrew Clark REACH OUT TO US AT CIRCULATION@MAINEBIZ.BIZ FOR A QUOTE We offer discounted group subscriptions starting at 5 users. Ensure your team has all access to Mainebiz with plans for co-packing and private- label work. "It's a great support to the farmers," says Sargent. "The farmers in the area are all looking for avenues to move their product. Right now, with the four kettles we have, we can take care of about 1,500 acres. And then we have expan- sion. We built the building to expand to eight kettles eventually and when we do that we'll be taking care of about 3,000 acres." After 44 years in transpor tation, Sargent, who owns Falcon Transportation in Presque Isle, understands the value of logistics. At Taste of Maine, potatoes move directly from farm trucks into pro- duction, keeping the journey from field to kettle short. The location also makes sense for a product that takes more potatoes to produce than consumers might expect. "In a kettle chip operation, people don't realize there's a 75% shrink," says Sargent. "So, for every 100 pounds of potatoes, you get 25 pounds of product." Taste of Maine's five flavors include Sour Cream & Onion, Aroostook BBQ, Salt & Vinegar, Classic Sea Salt and Salt & Pepper Dark Russet. Employees play a role in developing new flavors, taste- testing chip and sharing feedback that helps shape the final product. Taste of Maine chips are available on the company's website as well as at Hannaford, Shaw's, Walmart and conve- nience stores throughout Maine. The com- pany is looking to expand across New England while competing with big-name brands for precious retail shelf space. "They got deep pockets," Sargent says about the retail competition. "Now we just have to fight through it." The factory currently employs 30 peo- ple, with plans to double that number once operations run around the clock. Five farming families supply the potatoes and are featured on the chip bags, with more farmers expected to join as the company grows. For Sargent, each bag of Taste of Maine chips represents jobs, supporting local farmers and new economic oppor- tunities in Aroostook County. His goal is to bring a taste of Maine into homes across the state and beyond. It's a great support to the farmers. The farmers in the area are all looking for avenues to move their product. — Bruce Sargent Taste of Maine Potato Chip Co. P H O T O / C O U R T E S Y O F TA S T E O F M A I N E P O TAT O C H I P C O. Bruce Sargent is the owner and operator of Taste of Maine Potato Chip Co. The factory employs 30 people and plans to expand. P H O T O / C O U R T E S Y O F TA S T E O F M A I N E P O TAT O C H I P C O.

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