On this episode of Gluten-Free Unwrapped, I chat with Lewis Goldstein, CEO of Maine Crisps and Better with Buckwheat, to talk about what it takes to scale a small, mission-driven CPG brand.
Lewis joined Maine Crisps in 2022 with a bold goal: to transform a beloved mom-and-pop gluten-free cracker brand into a nationally recognized company built around the power of buckwheat. Since then, the brand has seen impressive growth, expanded into major retailers, and continued to highlight buckwheat as a nutritious, naturally gluten-free superfood.
In our conversation, Lewis shares how founder Karen Getz first created Maine Crisps in her kitchen. We talk about how the company evolved from a small regional brand into a fast-growing national business.
Lewis also explains why buckwheat deserves more attention, from its status as a complete protein to its naturally gluten- and grain-free nutrition profile, and how sourcing Maine-grown buckwheat supports regenerative agriculture and sustainable farming practices.
We also dive into the realities of scaling a food company: navigating distribution and balancing growth with the integrity of a clean-ingredient brand.
In this episode, we discuss:
- The origin story behind Maine Crisps and founder, Karen Getz
- Lewis’s backstory and how his experiences have shaped the company he now runs
- Why buckwheat is one of the most underrated gluten-free superfoods
- How Lewis helped grow Maine Crisps into a nationally recognized brand
- Lewis’s advice for founders building mission-driven food brands
Listen to the full episode on Gluten Free Unwrapped wherever you get your podcasts.
About Lewis Goldstein and Maine Crisps
Connect with Lewis on LinkedIn
Website: mainecrisp.com
Instagram: @mainecrisp
Facebook: @mainecrisp
LinkedIn: @Maine Crisp Co.
About the Host
Jenny Finke is the host of Gluten Free Unwrapped. She’s a longtime blogger at Good For You Gluten Free and founder of the popular gluten-free subscription boxes, Love Me Gluten Free.
You can follow Jenny on Instagram at @goodforyouglutenfree or subscribe to her newsletter at welcome.goodforyouglutenfree.com.
You can snag a Love Me Gluten Free subscription box at lovemeglutenfree.com and follow on Instagram (@lovemeglutenfree) or Facebook (@lovemeglutenfreebox).
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