Hand crafted, small batch, artisanal, and delicious are all words that describe the offerings of three Maine specialty food companies: Lucy’s Granola, 44 North Coffee and Northwoods Gourmet Girl. They also happen to be growing brands that are owned by women. This holiday season they are teaming up to create the ultimate holiday gift basket: fresh roasted coffee, hand-turned granola, and signature sauces and preserves. They will be launching their personalized gift baskets at the Maine Harvest Festival in Bangor, November 14th & 15th. Baskets can be ordered online through Christmas.

Abby Freethy of Northwoods Gourmet Girl in Greenville has been in business the longest with a shop and cafe on Moosehead Lake and a thriving online store. She got her start making homemade ketchup and her now long list of condiments, preserves and sauces are sold at retail shops throughout New England. She met Lucy Benjamin of East Blue Hill when their booths were next to each other at the Harvest on the Harbor Festival in Portland 5 years ago. The festival goers were more interested in lobster and wine than Lucy’s granola samples or Abby’s natural pantry staples, but the two of them hit it off. “Lucy is an easy person to get to know, she could have a conversation with a frog. Plus I really liked her granola.” says Freethy. 

Benjamin has grown her granola business from selling jars at the local farmer’s market to being carried in dozens stores including LL Bean and Whole Foods, by asking lots of questions and reaching out to other small businesses. “I love what Abby does, she is incredibly creative, constantly innovating. And her jams are wonderful, much less sweet than most. And I adore her caramel sauce. I’ve learned a lot from her example.” says Benjamin, "The 44 North girls have created a remarkable business, in addition to being kind and generous. Their coffee is just fantastic. I couldn't be more pleased to work with them."

Megan Wood who partners with Melissa Raftery at 44 North Coffee in Deer Isle recalls admiring both Lucy’s Granola and Northwoods Gourmet Girl as standouts in the Maine food industry before they met at farmers markets and food festivals. 44 North Coffee is also making the leap from local markets to wholesale distribution. Their coffee is featured on the menus of some of the region's best restaurants in addition to food shops. “We started talking about collaborating a couple of years ago because our products really compliment each other. They are all tasty, toasty, breakfast oriented and really yummy.” explains Wood, “plus it’s a great opportunity to introduce their businesses to our customers.” 

Freethy says that in addition to their products working well together, “We all have a natural view of life, a little gritty, funny and silly. We’re all just really happy people who love what we do.”  For Benjamin, cross-marketing is about supporting like-minded, small businesses “We are all incredibly hard-working women making lovely high-quality products in these remote rural places. It is important that we work together to get our bit of Maine on people’s gift lists this holiday season.”

The baskets come in a range of prices and can be customized for a variety of corporate and family gift giving. They can be ordered through all three company websites: LucysGranola.com, 44NorthCoffee.com, NorthwoodsGourmetGirl.com

For more information:Lucy Benjamin, Lucy's Granola: lucybenjamin@gwi.netMegan Wood or Melissa Raftery, 44 North Coffee: 44NorthCoffee@gmail.comAbby Freethy, Northwoods Gourmet Girl: Abby@northwoodsgourmetgirl.com