Harvest on the Harbor, Maine’s premier food and wine experience brings more than $2,000,000 to local economy

Portland, ME October 27, 2010 – The third annual Harvest on the Harbor attracted more than 5,000 people to take part in the three-day event. That number included exhibitors, volunteers, media and sponsors, who generated more than two million dollars for the local economy. Attendees traveled from 34 states, as far away as Alaska, Wisconsin, Kansas, California, and from Canada. Ten percent of the Maine people attending commuted from more than 50 miles from Portland.

“The mission of this event is to promote Maine as a Culinary Travel Destination and to extend the tourism season beyond the traditional summer and fall seasons into the shoulder season,” said Barbara Whitten, President & CEO of the Greater Portland Convention and Visitors Bureau, “and I think it is fair to say, based on the numbers and positive feedback, that we accomplished that mission.”

Scholarships funds were generated for Southern Maine Community College culinary students in the amount of $2,500.  Another $2,000 was donated to the winners of the Lobster Chef of the Year by the Maine Lobster Promotion Council.

More than 25 media outlets attended the event, including an international television crew from Paris, France, generating more than 250 print and online articles and television reports related to the event.

“I stand by my claim that Harvest on the Harbor was a foodie's idea of heaven. The hardest part for me was that I didn't have a big enough stomach! With so many wonderful choices I found myself full before I was out of foods and beverages to sample,” said Patty Roche from Stonewall Kitchen.

Celebrity Chef Mike Ruoss performed grilling demonstrations at the Marketplace on Saturday. He is originally from Old Orchard Beach, Maine, attended the culinary school at Southern Maine Community College, and went on to study under Emeril Lagasse in New Orleans. He now owns several restaurants. Ruoss had this to say about the culinary scene in Maine and the event, “In the last 20 years Maine restaurants have really started taking pride in their food. When I lived in Maine, everyone had the same menu and now everyone is working hard to create original and unique menus. This makes for healthy competition between restaurants and really puts Maine on the map,”  Ruoss added, “This event was as smooth as butter. I’ve done a lot of these events all over the country and this was the most well organized one I have attended.”

Vervacious owner Heidi Stanvick was enthusiastic about the positive vibe Harvest on the Harbor delivered to her store. "Many attendees of Friday night's James Beard dinner visited our shop to seek-out the flavors we had presented for the first course," said Stanvick. "Saturday's Marketplace led to a ‘buzzy’ in-store atmosphere and helped us to achieve our store's best sales day since opening in July."

Vervacious, an artisan selection of Maine-made culinary products, recently opened a flagship store in Portland's Old Port to showcase their full range and offer tastings. Vervacious has received numerous prestigious awards for their innovative product line which includes balsamic drizzles, roasting rubs, finishing salts, cheese compliments and hot cocoas. Harvest participants consistently sought out the new retail location throughout the 3-day event.

Erin McMahon an attendee from Boston added, “Harvest on the Harbor was a great event.  I especially enjoyed the Perfect Pairings and the opportunity to learn from the outstanding chefs you had.  Your attention to detail that evening did not go un-noticed, as the wines were perfectly paired with each dish that was served. I am looking forward to next year!”

“As a food writer and frequent judge, I was delighted to see the variety and professionalism that went into the organization of Harvest on the Harbor,” said Maralyn D. Hill, President International Food, Wine & Travel Writers Association (IFWTWA). “There were events that appealed to all categories and budgets. Having attended events worldwide, Harvest on the Harbor certainly rates a spot at the top of the list for food festivals.”

Although the event has yet to generate any direct revenue over expenses to date, the non-profit presenting organization, the Greater Portland Convention and Visitors Bureau, is hopeful that in the future, funds will be generated to allow for additional scholarships and a more far-reaching marketing campaign that will gain even more national and international visitors. 

Harvest on the Harbor, presented by the Greater Portland Convention and Visitors Bureau, brings nationally recognized chefs using Maine products and blends them with our own award winning local chefs in celebrating Maine as a culinary travel destination.  Last fall, 2009, Harvest on the Harbor was named one of the “Great Ideas for fall food festivals” by People magazine and was attended by more than 4,000 foodies from Maine and around the country.

More than 60 businesses sponsored the event with cash or in-kind donations including the Maine Office of Tourism, Down East Magazine, 94.9 WHOM FM, Ameritrade and Portland Press Herald/Maine Sunday Telegram.

For more information on Harvest on the Harbor please visit www.harvestontheharbor.com.

For information on Harvest on the Harbor Contact:
Angie Helton
Public Relations
(207) 653-0365
nema@maine.rr.com