Real Maine

What Real Maine does

Real Maine is the official agricultural promotions program of the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry (DACF), launched in 2020 as a digital discovery and marketing platform for Maine agriculture. It operates as a WordPress-based web property at realmaine.com featuring a searchable member directory of 1,225+ Maine farms, farmers' markets, creameries, breweries, wineries, sugar shacks, and specialty food producers; a "What's in Season" product finder; an events calendar; an interactive trip planner/itinerary tool; themed agritourism trails such as the Ice Cream Trail and Fiber Tour; and ancillary media including the Harvesting Maine podcast and an email newsletter. A Shopify storefront (mainedacf.myshopify.com) sells branded marketing materials (stickers, banners, flags, hang tags) to members.

The platform serves two primary audiences: Maine consumers and agritourists looking to find local farms, producers, and food experiences, and Maine farmers and food producers seeking free marketing visibility, a directory listing, logo access, and event participation. Real Maine also administers federal and state food assistance flows on behalf of DACF, including TEFAP (in partnership with Good Shepherd Food Bank, Wayside Food Programs, and Catholic Charities of Maine), CSFP (serving 8,000+ Maine seniors monthly), SNAP/WIC acceptance and Maine Harvest Bucks at farmers' markets, and the Maine Senior FarmShare Program ($50 produce shares for eligible seniors). Annual flagship events include Open Farm Day (37th edition July 26, 2026), Wild Blueberry Weekend, Maine Cheese Festival, Open Creamery Day, and Maine Maple Sunday.

Real Maine generates no commercial revenue. It is funded by state government appropriations and federal grants (USDA), with free membership for qualifying Maine agricultural businesses. The program is staffed by state employees (11–50 headcount) within DACF's Agricultural Resource Development Division, under Commissioner Amanda Beal. Geographic scope is restricted to Maine, and there are no private investors, equity holders, or commercial revenue streams.

Name

Real Maine

Legal name

Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry

Website

https://realmaine.com

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Real Maine is the official state agricultural promotions program of the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry, operating a free directory of 1,225+ Maine farms and producers, organizing agritourism trails, annual events, and administering federal food-assistance programs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Augusta

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Government Program Funding: Real Maine is a program of the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry (DACF). It is funded through state government appropriations and federal grants (USDA). It does not generate commercial revenue from product sales.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Real Maine is a state-operated digital platform that connects consumers with Maine farmers, food producers, and agricultural experiences through a searchable directory of 1,225+ member businesses, an events calendar, seasonal produce guides, and themed agritourism trails. The program also administers federal and state food assistance initiatives (SNAP/WIC, Maine Senior FarmShare, TEFAP, CSFP) and provides free promotional support to qualifying Maine agricultural businesses.

Product overview

Real Maine is a marketing platform operated by the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry that connects consumers with Maine farmers, food producers, and agricultural experiences. The platform consists of a searchable member directory (1,225+ members), events calendar, seasonal produce guide, and food programs (SNAP, WIC, Senior FarmShare). The offering includes themed trails like the Ice Cream Trail and Fiber Tour, annual events like Open Farm Day and agricultural fairs, and the Harvesting Maine Podcast. The platform functions as a unified discovery and connection hub rather than discrete modules.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Real Maine Member Directory Online searchable directory of 1,225+ Maine farmers, producers, and agricultural businesses, filterable by product type, activity, and purchasing method. Available free to consumers and member businesses.
• Real Maine Events Calendar Event calendar listing agricultural fairs, festivals, Open Farm Day, Ice Cream Trail, Fiber Tour, and other farm-related activities across Maine.
• What's in Season Seasonal produce guide showing year-round availability of Maine agricultural products including fruits, vegetables, dairy, meats, grains, and specialty items.
• How to Buy Maine Food Purchasing guide detailing ways to buy local Maine products through e-commerce, in-person farm stands, farmers markets, CSA programs, and wholesale distribution.
• Food Programs (SNAP/WIC/Senior FarmShare) Federal and state food assistance programs including SNAP benefits acceptance, WIC farmers market nutrition benefits, Maine Senior FarmShare ($50 farm shares for eligible seniors), TEFAP, and CSFP.
• Real Maine Ice Cream Trail Curated agritourism trail featuring Maine creameries and ice cream shops using Maine milk and cream, highlighting local dairy ingredients and seasonal flavors.
• Maine Fiber Tour & Trail Fiber-focused agricultural tourism trail showcasing Maine alpaca, sheep, and fiber farms with yarn, fleece, and handspun products.
• Open Farm Day Annual statewide event (37th annual, held on the fourth Sunday in July) where Maine farms open to the public for tours, tastings, and agricultural education.
• Agricultural Fairs Directory Directory of licensed Maine agricultural fairs spanning more than 150 years of tradition, featuring livestock, exhibits, tastings, and family entertainment.
• Harvesting Maine Podcast Podcast series featuring conversations with Real Maine members, behind-the-scenes farm stories, and seasonal agricultural content.
• Real Maine Merchandise Store Online Shopify store selling Real Maine marketing materials including stickers, banners, flags, and hang tags for member use.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 1,200 member farms and food producers listed in the directory
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Good Shepherd Food BankcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTEFAP distribution partner. Good Shepherd Food Bank receives and distributes USDA foods to food pantries statewide as part of The Emergency Food Assistance Program.
• Wayside Food ProgramscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTEFAP distribution partner ensuring shelf-stable and fresh foods are available to qualifying food pantries in every region of Maine.
• Catholic Charities of MainecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTEFAP distribution partner helping distribute emergency food to pantries and sites across Maine.
• Maine SNAP-EdcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFederally funded nutrition education program with 35+ Nutrition Educators statewide providing services in schools, food pantries, grocery stores, and health departments. Allies in providing nutrition education for TEFAP and food assistance programs.
• Wild Blueberry Commission of MainecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOrganizes the annual Wild Blueberry Weekend celebration during the first full weekend of August. Coordinates with farms and businesses across Maine for the event.
• Maine Grain AllianceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartners on the Maine Craft Pizza Initiative highlighting sustainable farming practices, local ingredients, and skilled craftsmanship in Maine pizza making.
• Maine Cheese GuildcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborates on promoting Maine cheese products, Open Creamery Day events, and cheese-related content. Referenced for cheese educational information.
• The Milkhouse (Monmouth)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorOrganic dairy farm and creamery featured as a Real Maine member producing yogurt sold to schools, institutions, cafes, and restaurants. Supplies bulk milk to other Maine cheesemakers.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Pick Tennessee Products: Pick Tennessee Products is the Tennessee Department of Agriculture's directory and marketing program for in-state farms and producers, with a near-identical feature set (searchable directory, events, seasonal guides) to Real Maine.
• Jersey Fresh: Jersey Fresh is the New Jersey Department of Agriculture's official marketing program promoting NJ-grown produce and farm products, directly analogous to Real Maine's state-operated promotional directory and event programming for Maine producers.
• California Grown: California Grown is the state agricultural promotion entity driving consumer awareness of in-state farm products through campaigns, events, and content—directly analogous to Real Maine's promotional mandate at a much larger scale.
• Taste NY: Taste NY is New York State's agriculture and food promotion program with a member directory, retail locations, and event marketing—closely mirroring Real Maine's structure of connecting consumers to in-state producers through a state-backed platform.
• Fresh From Florida: Fresh From Florida is the Florida Department of Agriculture's consumer-facing brand promoting in-state producers and agritourism, with comparable directory, recipe, and event features.

Broad incumbents

• USDA Farmers Market Directory: The USDA national farmers market directory is a broader-incumbent federal resource that overlaps with Real Maine's farmers' market listing function but operates nationally rather than as a state-level promotional brand.

Emerging players

• Farmstand App: Farmstand is a private farm-finder app for local food and agritourism; competes with Real Maine on producer discovery but lacks official state sanction and government food-program administration.
• Harvest Hosts: Harvest Hosts is a membership-based agritourism platform connecting travelers with farms and producers for stays and experiences—comparable to Real Maine's agritourism promotion layer but operating as a commercial, multi-state private company.
• Local Harvest: Local Harvest is a private online directory of CSAs, farmers' markets, and farms that overlaps with Real Maine's member directory function but lacks state-government authority and agritourism trail programming.

Others

• Good Shepherd Food Bank: Good Shepherd Food Bank is a Maine hunger-relief organization that partners with Real Maine on TEFAP distribution; not a competitor but an ecosystem participant adjacent to Real Maine's community food programs.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/GetRealMaine
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCn6eWvLqQ5gQ3lq9mqJ5mLw
• Facebookfacebook.com/GetRealMaine
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/maine-natural-areas-program

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Real Maine