Keeping Maine Strong with Barber Foods

Barber Foods has remained a family-owned company since it was founded in Portland, Maine, in 1955 by Augustus Barber. Though Barber chicken is distributed nationally today, the commitment to strengthening our local community and economy remains a fundamental pillar of the company.

Not only does Barber Foods create job opportunities for hundreds of people living in the greater-Portland area, but the company also promotes diversity, encourages personal and professional development, offers financial support to local organizations, and works to improve the sustainability of its operations. At Barber Foods, we understand how important it is to preserve and strengthen what makes the state of Maine so special – the people here, our economy and the great outdoors in our backyards.

Supporting Diversity in the Local Community.

Though Barber Foods was founded by one man nearly 55 years ago, today the company employs over 700 associates representing more than 61 nationalities. Born in America to Armenian parents, Augustus Barber always strove to provide opportunities and support for other immigrants. Today, Barber Foods promotes tolerance by providing a backdrop against which the diverse staff interacts and works together to deliver products with the highest quality standards in the food industry.

Investing in Education.

Barber Foods recognizes that an investment in education is also an investment in the future. The business welcomes employees from various backgrounds and offers on-site courses for personal and professional development – such as ESL, citizenship and computer courses.

Giving Back.

A long-standing annual event, the United Way campaign elicits participation from Barber employees and encourages them to give back to the community. During the 2009 Fall Campaign, Barber employees exceeded their goal and pledged $38,000 to be funneled to local organizations.

Since 2005, Barber Foods has donated over $500,000 to organizations like the Gulf of Maine Research Institute, Preble Street Resource Center, Boys & Girls Club of Greater Portland, Cape Elizabeth Education Foundation, the Center for Grieving Children, Opportunity Farm and Beach to Beacon.

Barber Foods also donates one million meal servings annually to the Good Shepherd Food Bank which stocks food pantries throughout the state of Maine and helps feed more than 70,000 people each month. At Barber we believe that no one should go hungry in Maine.

Sustaining Maine and the Environment.

Since 2005, water conservation initiatives have resulted in the treatment of over 85 million gallons of water, which are subsequently pumped back to the city of Portland. Barber Foods also works to eliminate waste by selling organic waste to a local composting facility and burning recycled fryer oil for heat in the winter.

Buying local.

Barber Foods knows that the strength and character of our great state lies within the people who live here – first and tenth generation Mainers and everyone in-between. Promoting local businesses and purchasing locally made products and services supports the people here and helps to Keep Maine Strong now and in the future.

Please visit our website at www.BarberFoods.com