Potatoes: The Surprising Star of Maine’s Food Scene

Every autumn in Aroostook County, the steady hum of harvesters and the earthy scent of freshly turned soil signal a rite of passage. Here, in Maine’s potato heartland, high school students still trade their textbooks for work gloves during the annual “potato recess,” a tradition born in the 1940s that endures at some schools today, even with modern advances in harvesting technology. This three- to four-week break from classes allows for extra harvesting hands that can make the difference between a successful season and a crop lost to frost. For youth, it’s a lesson in hard work, resilience and the value of a paycheck. For the community, it’s a reminder that potatoes, not lobsters, have long been the backbone of the state’s economy.

Potatoes are more than a side dish in Maine; surprisingly, they’re the state’s number one crop.  According to a 2024 report by the University of Maine, the potato industry has an annual economic impact of $1.3 billion in the state, supporting over 6,500 jobs. The epicenter is Aroostook County in northernmost Maine, where potato fields stretch to the horizon and account for 90% of the state’s 52,000 acres of potato fields—though potatoes are grown all over. Green Thumb Farms in Fryeburg is Maine’s largest potato farm, operating on 2,200+ acres, and the University of Maine even has its own 425-acre experimental farm, Aroostook Farm, which focuses on scientific research and advancements in the potato industry. 

The state’s potato-farming legacy dates back to the early spring of 1719, when Irish settlers first planted potatoes in what is now the South Portland area. Today, Maine remains in the top 10 potato-producing states, and its staple varieties, such as Kennebec potatoes and Caribou russets, are essential for traditional Maine dishes. They sink into creamy clam chowder, lending body and comfort to each briny spoonful. They roast alongside Maine lobster, clams and corn on the cob in smoky seaweed pits, absorbing the salt and steam of a true coastal bake. At weathered seafood shacks and small-town diners, golden French fries made from locally grown spuds spill across paper-lined baskets, crisp on the outside, tender within—humble, hearty proof that in Maine, the potato belongs at every table.

And then there’s the less obvious uses, from doughnuts to candy. 

Maine’s beloved potato doughnuts strike a rare balance in texture: crisp-edged, while moist and tender inside, falling somewhere between a cake and a yeast doughnut. The defining difference is mashed russet potato folded into the batter, lending structure and richness. Bakeries such as The Holy Donut (with multiple locations) and The Only Doughnut in Belfast offer inventive flavors such as maple bacon, blueberry lemon and Earl Grey. Demand is high, and popular varieties often sell out before midday.

The state’s potato harvest also finds its way into the glass. Cold River distillery in Freeport produces vodka and gin from high-starch Maine potatoes, yielding spirits with a clean, rounded texture and subtle sweetness. Arrange a guided tour to see the process firsthand, and explore an on-site gallery chronicling the history of potato farming in the region.

Potatoes also underpin one of Maine’s most distinctive confections: the Needham. First sold in the 1870s by Seavey’s Sweets, the candy blends mashed potato with coconut flakes, enrobed in gourmet dark chocolate. Now a cultural emblem, Needhams are widely available in general stores and markets, and the last Saturday of September is officially recognized as Maine Needham Day.

Other producers showcase the crop’s simpler pleasures. Fox Family Potato Chips, based in Blaine, turns out small-batch chips in flavors from classic salted to Wicked Hot BBQ. Penobscot McCrum, a family farm operating since 1886, processes potatoes into fries, chips and other products distributed nationwide.

Celebrations of the crop also punctuate the summer and fall calendar. July brings Fort Fairfield’s Maine Potato Blossom Festival, with parades, pageants and fields in full bloom. In August, Houlton hosts Potato Feast Days, featuring pancake breakfasts, potato-pancake suppers and harvest-themed competitions. September’s Maine Needham Festival in Wiscasset spotlights the state’s signature sweet with tastings, demonstrations and contests, underscoring how deeply potatoes are woven into Maine’s agricultural and cultural identity.