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October 22, 2015

Report: Maine food industry leaders need to develop growth plan

A report from Harvard University looking at how Maine can grow its food industry recommends that the different parties in the industry should collaborate to develop a growth plan with clear metrics on measuring results.

The report, from Harvard’s Maine Food Cluster Project, is based on months of research and surveys with more than 300 businesses.

The Portland Press Herald reported that one common problem in Maine cited by the report is that the food industry is too fragmented, with many small parties operating independently.

The report recommends looking at other states where industry leaders, state agencies, university programs and others have developed plans to create jobs and generate economic growth. Plans in Oregon and Vermont have shown clear results, the report said.

The report also recommends the creation of a “business accelerator” dedicated to the food industry that would help businesses grow.

The report, supported with an endowment grant from the Portland-based Libra Foundation, was released Thursday.

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