In the town of Hiram (population: 1,609), a team of 41 has been busy baking, mixing and packaging pure granola magic.Grandy Organics was founded in 1979 by a couple of friends around a campfire in Baxter State Park. The company began as a small, local granola producer and has since expanded to become a nationally […]
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In the town of Hiram (population: 1,609), a team of 41 has been busy baking, mixing and packaging pure granola magic.
Grandy Organics was founded in 1979 by a couple of friends around a campfire in Baxter State Park. The company began as a small, local granola producer and has since expanded to become a nationally recognized brand, which is headed by owner Aaron Anker.
After years of selling small batch granola to Maine co-ops and local natural food stores, Grandy Organics ramped up production, adding lines of organic trail mixes and, recently, a new line of granola clusters.
Inside the 23,280-square-foot factory and warehouse, the floor is divided into clear stations. In the mixing area, big tubs blend oats with maple syrup, honey, nuts and seeds. Machines hum steadily as ingredients move along, becoming another batch of Maine-made granola.
Since Grandy Organics recipes rely on certified-organic standards and specialty crops like nuts, spices, coconut and gluten-free oats, many of its ingredients come from regions where they grow best — from coconut in the Philippines to spices from Guatemala and India, fruits from Canada and Chile and nuts from the U.S., Turkey and Vietnam. The company is also transitioning to regenerative organic, gluten-free oats sourced from the Prairies of Canada in early spring.
While Maine doesn’t grow most of the organic ingredients the company needs at scale, it partners with Maine businesses whenever possible — including Downeast Distributors in Auburn, for key baking supplies, and Portland Paper Products, for facility essentials.
“Since 1979, we’ve stayed true to many simple, wholesome recipes sweetened naturally with honey, maple syrup or coconut nectar and we offer options for every kind of adventurer, from classic oat-based blends to gluten-free and grain-free varieties,” says Anker.
On supermarket shelves, granola is a crowded and, in some cases, an expensive category.
For instance, at Shaw’s, you’ll find dozens of brands spanning a wide price range. Grandy Oats sits at the premium end, with prices starting at $6.49 to $6.99 for a 12-ounce bag of the “classic” granola; $9.99 for 9 oz Coconoalas.
Grandy Organics is at the higher end of the price scale, with Kind Healthy Grains and Oats, starting at $5.99; Bear Naked Fit Granola Cereal, at $5.49; Purely Elizabeth, at $7.99; and Bob’s Red Mill at $5.49.
Grandy Organics makes several types of granola and clusters. The granola can be found in stores throughout Maine, including Whole Foods Market in Portland, Hannaford, Market Basket, Shaw’s, Rosemont Market, Portland Food Co-op and many others. Granola can be purchased in packaged retail bags and in bulk.
The company has also partnered with local restaurants, including Bay Bowls, Bom Dia, Love Shack and Nautical Bowls.
“Our commitment to sustainability, ethically sourced ingredients and community connection drives everything we do, and it means every bag of Grandy granola is made with integrity, clean ingredients and a whole lot of Maine heart,” says Anker.
