For today’s lesson in anthropology, let’s consider the residents of the great state of Maine. The native-born citizens are fiercely proud of their heritage. They refer to themselves as Maineiacs. Long-time residents of Maine who were born outside of the state (“from away”) are still considered visitors, even by their younger, native-born neighbors. Mainers love their home-grown brands and foods, including lobsters, blueberries, L.L. Bean and Oakhurst Dairy.
Now let’s consider Maine’s dairy industry. There are only four fluid milk plants in the entire state. The largest based in Maine is Oakhurst Dairy, an independently owned, third-generation dairy processor of milk, cream, sour cream and nondairy beverages. It employs about 200, with 160 at the headquarters in Portland and the others at warehouses elsewhere in the state and northern New England.