Gifts, Treats and Specialty Foods

A survey by the Maine Department of Agriculture found about 3,000 manufacturers of specialty and gourmet products in the state in 2003. Today, some experts say that number has more than doubled. And the accolades are rolling in.

• At the prestigious Fancy Food show in Manhattan last year, Michael Gagne, of the Robinhood Free Meetinghouse Restaurant in Georgetown, won first place in the best new product category for his 72-layer biscuits.
• Two years earlier, Hancock Gourmet Lobster, based in Cundy’s Harbor, won the award for its lobster pot pie.
• Raye’s Schooner Mustard, of Eastport, received a gold medal at the 2006 Mustard Festival in Napa, Calif.
• Kate’s Homemade Butter, made in Old Orchard Beach, was awarded first place in the salted butter category at the 2006 World Dairy Expo.
• Brunswick’s Simply Divine Brownies, hand cut and frosted in surprising shapes (such as a pair of boxer shorts for a Muhammad Ali charity event) were included in goody bags presented in 2007 to Oscar nominees and to celebrities attending the Indianapolis 500.

Other Maine specialties include whoopie pies, gingerbread lobster, Needhams (potato candies), wild local teas, smoked sea salts, dilly beans, sauerkraut, maple butter, Maine mud and other exotic chocolates, wild blueberry jams, even muffins-in-a-jar.