One of the pleasures of representing the great State of Maine is traveling all over the state to visit family farms, small businesses, manufacturers, and entrepreneurs who are carving out a niche for their products, goods, and services. There is a well-deserved “mystique” about Maine products that connotes high quality, terrific service, and creativity.
Recently, I was so pleased to announce that Pineland Farms Potato Company Inc. in Mars Hill would begin supplying 28 of Sam’s Club Northeast stores.
In April, I had the chance to tour the very impressive operations at Pineland Farms Potato Company. Its popular ready-to-cook fresh potato products are already available in grocery stores throughout northern New England and are used by major restaurant chains including Applebee’s and Pizzeria UNO. The company recently had expanded its operations, hiring more employees and investing in new equipment, and it was clear to me that with a great workforce, high quality Maine potatoes, and strong leadership from Rodney McCrum, this company has unlimited potential.
Then in late July, I had the opportunity to meet with Rosalind Brewer, the president and CEO of Sam’s Club, a division of Walmart, when she was visiting her home state Senator who invited me to talk with her. I asked her whether Sam’s Club would be interested in contracting with local suppliers for fresh food for their stores in Maine and nearby states. She expressed interest as I described some of the Maine food companies and farms I had visited and seemed particularly interested in the ready-to-eat potato products of Pineland Farms.
Ms. Brewer gave me her card as well as information about her liaison who would follow up.
Excited about the potential opportunity, I suggested to Pineland Farms President Rodney McCrum that he explore doing business with Sam’s Club and put him in touch with the right contacts.
Pineland Farms truly made the most of the opportunity. Due to both the leadership of Rodney and the excellent products produced by the men and women at Pineland Farms, Sam’s Club and Pineland Farms reached a contract that will put Pineland Farms products on the shelves of 28 Sam’s Clubs across the Northeast.
This contract will not only help support good jobs in Maine, but also will allow families across the northeast to enjoy Maine potato products.
This is just one example of the ingenuity and success of Maine people. Maine products turn up in the most surprising places. You can see the world’s best rock ‘n’ roll drummers using drumsticks that were produced in Maine; fashion catalogs with models wearing shoes and boots that were hand sewn in the state; and college and professional hockey players carrying their gear in bags that were manufactured in Maine. When you go to New York City, you will see that the number-one bottled beverage in the Big Apple is not a soft drink; it is Poland Spring water. In slugging their way to the 2015 World Series Championship, four members of the Kansas City Royals used wooden bats made in Shirley, Maine.
I never cease to be amazed by the creativity of Mainers and the incredible work that is happening here in a quiet way. In the past year alone, I have met with many Maine business leaders, entrepreneurs, and employees, as well as academic and civic leaders, who are having success in providing opportunity and strengthening our communities.
One is the Buck Family Farm in Mapleton that has begun providing malted barley for our state’s growing craft beer industry. There are more than 1,400 people working in jobs related to the craft beer industry in Maine. From Allagash to Shipyard to Baxter to Gritty’s and many more, the 60 breweries we have in Maine have earned a national reputation for providing truly exceptional beers.
From new entrepreneurs to established iconic businesses like L.L. Bean, Geiger Bros., Unum, Idexx and WEX – there are more great Maine stories than I could ever begin to list. With all the challenges that we face, good things are happening every day in Maine. We should celebrate the successes that can be found in every corner of our State.
