photo credit Sofia Aldinio at http://www.sofiaaldinio.com/

ABOUT US

Matinicus Salt Farm is a women-owned and family operated saltworks on the remote island of Matinicus, 23 miles off the coast of Maine. I make small-batch wild sea salt harvesting the clean and clear waters that surround the island. Our salt is 100% solar evaporated, a slow and sustainable process that creates a high quality wild salt that has a bold flavor unique to this amazing place.

Matinicus is where I've always felt most at home. I am the tenth generation, and our young daughter is the eleventh generation of a family with a rich history here. My grandmother was the island nurse, and my grandfather, a lobsterman who also ran the island general store and post office when Matinicus had over 250 year-round residents. Much has changed, but we continue our family's enduring relationship with the island and its people. Our sea salt isn't just a product but a testament to the place we cherish and share with each crystal of salt.

MATINICUS ISLAND

Matinicus is the furthest year-round inhabited island off the Maine coast, over 20 miles from Rockland in Penobscot Bay's outer reaches. Spanning approximately 750 acres, the island is predominantly covered in black spruce. Designated as a "plantation," Matinicus operates under a Maine-specific sub-government somewhere between a town and an unorganized territory. Its rural and rustic nature, coupled with its remoteness, presents challenges in accessibility. With no store, paved roads or restaurants, it appeals to those seeking secluded places. Translated from Abenaki, the name "Matinicus" fittingly means "far out island." Despite its small size, Matinicus is a vibrant island, where time slows down, and life harmonizes with the ebb and flow of the tide. The residents, characterized by their hard-working ethos, embody a lifestyle of independence and profound care for their surroundings. In the summer months, the island's population swells to around 200 individuals, while a smaller number endure the solitude of winter. Amidst the rugged coastline, wild berry patches, tight-knit community, and vast Atlantic expanse, we find inspiration, resulting in the distinctive flavor of our hand-harvested wild sea salt.

Matinicus Island is part of the ancestral land of the Wabanaki, the People of the Dawn. We respectfully acknowledge and hold gratitude to the many Indigenous people who have stewarded this land throughout the generations –  both past and present. The rich history of this island reaches far beyond the establishment of European colonies. Learn more, and please consider supporting these organizations: FirstLight, Wabanaki Reach.