Maine Needham Day - September 26

Maine Needham Day - September 26 WHEREAS , the Maine Needham was first introduced in 1872 by John Seavey, owner of the confectionary Seavey’s Sweets, which is rumored to have been located in either Auburn or Portland at the time; and WHEREAS , named after a popular preacher of that era, George C. Needham, the Needham candy consists of a mashed potato center surrounded by coconut and chocolate; and WHEREAS , it is thought that Needhams gained popularity with home cooks during the Great Depression, when Maine people would use their extra potato harvest to make the treat; and WHEREAS , Needhams have become synonymous with Maine, and they help celebrate locally harvested Maine potatoes; and WHEREAS , today, sweet shops and home cooks around our state keep the beloved tradition of the Needham alive by continuing to produce and perfect this iconic Maine treat for us to enjoy and share with the world; and WHEREAS , on September 26, 2026 the fourth annual Maine Needham Festival will be held at the Maine Tasting Center in Wiscasset to celebrate the Needham and it’s great history in Maine; and WHEREAS , in accordance with 1 MRSA § 150-S, the State of Maine observes the last Saturday in Septe