About

Welcome to Fork Food Lab!

We are a non-profit food business incubator and shared commercial manufacturing and processing facility focused on growing the local food economy. By providing entrepreneurs with work space, equipment, resources and access to locally sourced ingredients, we support the growth of sustainable Maine-based food businesses.

Fork Food Lab envisions a just, diverse, and sustainable food economy for Maine where food entrepreneurs are supported in their quest to produce high quality and sustainable products utilizing locally sourced ingredients.

Now based in South Portland, Fork began operations in 2016 in Portland’s West Bayside neighborhood and has hosted dozens of food business startups. Our members include consumer packaged goods, specialty food producers, mobile food units (food trucks, trailers, carts, etc.), bakeries, catering companies, prepared meal businesses, and more. The entrepreneurs, products, and services we support reflect both the innovation and diversity of our community, empowering a stronger local food system.

As of fall 2021, 120 businesses have cycled through Fork. Between 2018 and 2021 alone, the facility supported 152 jobs and $4.7 million in sales, generating a total impact of 286 jobs and $10.8 million in earnings. When combined with the businesses that have graduated to their own restaurants or storefronts, Fork’s total economic impact is 411 jobs and $15.3 million in earnings.