{"id":7750,"date":"2026-03-12T13:54:23","date_gmt":"2026-03-12T17:54:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/umaine.edu\/mafes\/?page_id=7750"},"modified":"2026-04-02T10:05:00","modified_gmt":"2026-04-02T14:05:00","slug":"dr-matthew-highlands-pilot-plant","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/umaine.edu\/mafes\/dr-matthew-highlands-pilot-plant\/","title":{"rendered":"Dr. Matthew Highlands Pilot Plant"},"content":{"rendered":"<style>.kb-image7750_758b0c-07 .kb-image-has-overlay:after{opacity:0.3;}.kb-image7750_758b0c-07 img.kb-img, .kb-image7750_758b0c-07 .kb-img img{object-position:67% 48%;}<\/style>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-kadence-image kb-image7750_758b0c-07 alignfull kb-image-is-ratio-size\"><div class=\"kb-is-ratio-image kb-image-ratio-land41\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2400\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/umaine.edu\/mafes\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/98\/2026\/03\/Pilot-plant-banner.png\" alt=\"Group of students taste test foods in pilot plant\" class=\"kb-img wp-image-7756\" srcset=\"https:\/\/umaine.edu\/mafes\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/98\/2026\/03\/Pilot-plant-banner.png 2400w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/mafes\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/98\/2026\/03\/Pilot-plant-banner-300x75.png 300w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/mafes\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/98\/2026\/03\/Pilot-plant-banner-1024x256.png 1024w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/mafes\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/98\/2026\/03\/Pilot-plant-banner-768x192.png 768w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/mafes\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/98\/2026\/03\/Pilot-plant-banner-1536x384.png 1536w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/mafes\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/98\/2026\/03\/Pilot-plant-banner-2048x512.png 2048w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/mafes\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/98\/2026\/03\/Pilot-plant-banner-105x26.png 105w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/mafes\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/98\/2026\/03\/Pilot-plant-banner-317x79.png 317w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/mafes\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/98\/2026\/03\/Pilot-plant-banner-423x106.png 423w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/mafes\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/98\/2026\/03\/Pilot-plant-banner-634x159.png 634w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/mafes\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/98\/2026\/03\/Pilot-plant-banner-846x212.png 846w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/mafes\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/98\/2026\/03\/Pilot-plant-banner-951x238.png 951w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/mafes\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/98\/2026\/03\/Pilot-plant-banner-1268x317.png 1268w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 320px) 85vw, (max-width: 768px) 67vw, (max-width: 1024px) 62vw,2400px\" \/><\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n<style>.kadence-column7750_74921f-a8 > .kt-inside-inner-col,.kadence-column7750_74921f-a8 > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{border-top-left-radius:0px;border-top-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-left-radius:0px;}.kadence-column7750_74921f-a8 > .kt-inside-inner-col{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-sm, 1rem);}.kadence-column7750_74921f-a8 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;}.kadence-column7750_74921f-a8 > .kt-inside-inner-col > .aligncenter{width:100%;}.kadence-column7750_74921f-a8 > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{opacity:0.3;}.kadence-column7750_74921f-a8{position:relative;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kadence-column7750_74921f-a8 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kadence-column7750_74921f-a8 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-column kadence-column7750_74921f-a8\"><div class=\"kt-inside-inner-col\"><style>.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading7750_dbc875-8c, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading7750_dbc875-8c[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading7750_dbc875-8c\"]{text-align:center;font-size:var(--global-kb-font-size-xl, 3rem);font-style:normal;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading7750_dbc875-8c mark.kt-highlight, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading7750_dbc875-8c[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading7750_dbc875-8c\"] mark.kt-highlight{font-style:normal;color:#f76a0c;-webkit-box-decoration-break:clone;box-decoration-break:clone;padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading7750_dbc875-8c img.kb-inline-image, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading7750_dbc875-8c[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading7750_dbc875-8c\"] img.kb-inline-image{width:150px;vertical-align:baseline;}<\/style>\n<h2 class=\"kt-adv-heading7750_dbc875-8c wp-block-kadence-advancedheading\" data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading7750_dbc875-8c\">Dr. Matthew Highlands Pilot Plant<\/h2>\n\n\n<style>.kb-row-layout-id7750_f12324-86 > .kt-row-column-wrap{align-content:start;}:where(.kb-row-layout-id7750_f12324-86 > .kt-row-column-wrap) > .wp-block-kadence-column{justify-content:start;}.kb-row-layout-id7750_f12324-86 > .kt-row-column-wrap{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-md, 2rem);row-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-md, 2rem);padding-top:var(--global-kb-spacing-sm, 1.5rem);padding-bottom:var(--global-kb-spacing-sm, 1.5rem);grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 2fr) minmax(0, 1fr);}.kb-row-layout-id7750_f12324-86 > .kt-row-layout-overlay{opacity:0.30;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kb-row-layout-id7750_f12324-86 > .kt-row-column-wrap{grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 2fr) minmax(0, 1fr);}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kb-row-layout-id7750_f12324-86 > .kt-row-column-wrap{grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr);}}<\/style><div class=\"kb-row-layout-wrap kb-row-layout-id7750_f12324-86 alignnone wp-block-kadence-rowlayout\"><div class=\"kt-row-column-wrap kt-has-2-columns kt-row-layout-left-golden kt-tab-layout-inherit kt-mobile-layout-row kt-row-valign-top\">\n<style>.kadence-column7750_3dc32a-c7 > .kt-inside-inner-col,.kadence-column7750_3dc32a-c7 > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{border-top-left-radius:0px;border-top-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-left-radius:0px;}.kadence-column7750_3dc32a-c7 > .kt-inside-inner-col{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-sm, 1rem);}.kadence-column7750_3dc32a-c7 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;}.kadence-column7750_3dc32a-c7 > .kt-inside-inner-col > .aligncenter{width:100%;}.kadence-column7750_3dc32a-c7 > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{opacity:0.3;}.kadence-column7750_3dc32a-c7{position:relative;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kadence-column7750_3dc32a-c7 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kadence-column7750_3dc32a-c7 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-column kadence-column7750_3dc32a-c7\"><div class=\"kt-inside-inner-col\">\n<p>Whether you are an entrepreneur, a farmer, a food processor or a small business transitioning to commercialization, the University of Maine\u2019s Food Pilot Plant may be a resource for you. Located in Hitchner Hall, the Dr. Matthew Highlands Food Pilot Plant offers services to enhance product lines, create value-added foods or scale up recipes for commercial production. The state-of-the-art research facility is equipped with a variety of food processing equipment, including a pasta maker, meat chopper, dehydrator, blast freezer, steam cooker, cheese making equipment and packaging equipment. In addition, the facility contains a state-licensed commercial kitchen that serves as a teaching laboratory for food-science and human-nutrition students, and as a place where home businesses can package and produce food products for sale.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Dr. Matthew Highlands Pilot Plant is a state of the art facility committed to helping Food Processors, Entrepreneurs, Farmers, Researchers and Students in the food industry. Our equipment and services offer a variety of options for anyone seeking to expand product lines, create value added foods, solve issues in current food products, and scale up recipes for commercial production. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Use of the Pilot Plant is fee based. The fee schedule is determined by the scope of the project and the equipment involved. For more details please contact Jennifer Perry (Jennifer.perry@maine.edu) and fill out the form at <a href=\"https:\/\/docs.google.com\/forms\/d\/1R5pKM-hts4pWVpZCETiD3qcaVsaeNIXtx3yNog_1r34\/viewform?edit_requested=true\">this link<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Other resources are available from the research cluster of Food Science and Human Nutrition that offer the following services to the food industry:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/\">Resources for Small Food Businesses<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Sensory Evaluation<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Grant Writing Support\/Review<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Analytical Consulting<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Assistance in developing new food products<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Applied research for trouble-shooting issues<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Commercial Kitchen Facilities<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<style>.kadence-column7750_10e5aa-1f > .kt-inside-inner-col{display:flex;}.kadence-column7750_10e5aa-1f > .kt-inside-inner-col,.kadence-column7750_10e5aa-1f > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{border-top-left-radius:0px;border-top-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-left-radius:0px;}.kadence-column7750_10e5aa-1f > .kt-inside-inner-col{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-sm, 1rem);}.kadence-column7750_10e5aa-1f > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:flex-start;}.kadence-column7750_10e5aa-1f > .kt-inside-inner-col > .aligncenter{width:100%;}.kt-row-column-wrap > .kadence-column7750_10e5aa-1f{align-self:flex-start;}.kt-inner-column-height-full:not(.kt-has-1-columns) > .wp-block-kadence-column.kadence-column7750_10e5aa-1f{align-self:auto;}.kt-inner-column-height-full:not(.kt-has-1-columns) > .wp-block-kadence-column.kadence-column7750_10e5aa-1f > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:flex-start;}.kadence-column7750_10e5aa-1f > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{opacity:0.3;}.kadence-column7750_10e5aa-1f{position:relative;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kt-row-column-wrap > .kadence-column7750_10e5aa-1f{align-self:flex-start;}}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kt-inner-column-height-full:not(.kt-has-1-columns) > .wp-block-kadence-column.kadence-column7750_10e5aa-1f{align-self:auto;}}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kt-inner-column-height-full:not(.kt-has-1-columns) > .wp-block-kadence-column.kadence-column7750_10e5aa-1f > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:flex-start;}}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kadence-column7750_10e5aa-1f > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:flex-start;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kt-row-column-wrap > .kadence-column7750_10e5aa-1f{align-self:flex-start;}.kt-inner-column-height-full:not(.kt-has-1-columns) > .wp-block-kadence-column.kadence-column7750_10e5aa-1f{align-self:auto;}.kt-inner-column-height-full:not(.kt-has-1-columns) > .wp-block-kadence-column.kadence-column7750_10e5aa-1f > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:flex-start;}.kadence-column7750_10e5aa-1f > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:flex-start;}}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-column kadence-column7750_10e5aa-1f\"><div class=\"kt-inside-inner-col\"><style>.kb-image7750_e1efe0-b9:not(.kb-image-is-ratio-size) .kb-img, .kb-image7750_e1efe0-b9.kb-image-is-ratio-size{padding-top:var(--global-kb-spacing-lg, 3rem);}.kb-image7750_e1efe0-b9 .kb-image-has-overlay:after{opacity:0.3;}<\/style>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-kadence-image kb-image7750_e1efe0-b9 size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/umaine.edu\/mafes\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/98\/2026\/03\/pilot-plant-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"Overhead photo of food pilot plant with equipment. \" class=\"kb-img wp-image-7757\" srcset=\"https:\/\/umaine.edu\/mafes\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/98\/2026\/03\/pilot-plant-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/mafes\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/98\/2026\/03\/pilot-plant-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/mafes\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/98\/2026\/03\/pilot-plant-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/mafes\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/98\/2026\/03\/pilot-plant-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/mafes\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/98\/2026\/03\/pilot-plant-105x79.jpg 105w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/mafes\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/98\/2026\/03\/pilot-plant-317x238.jpg 317w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/mafes\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/98\/2026\/03\/pilot-plant-423x317.jpg 423w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/mafes\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/98\/2026\/03\/pilot-plant-634x476.jpg 634w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/mafes\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/98\/2026\/03\/pilot-plant-846x635.jpg 846w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/mafes\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/98\/2026\/03\/pilot-plant-951x713.jpg 951w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/mafes\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/98\/2026\/03\/pilot-plant-1268x951.jpg 1268w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/mafes\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/98\/2026\/03\/pilot-plant-500x375.jpg 500w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/mafes\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/98\/2026\/03\/pilot-plant.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 320px) 85vw, (max-width: 768px) 67vw, (max-width: 1024px) 62vw,1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Dr. Matthew Highlands Pilot Plant Whether you are an entrepreneur, a farmer, a food processor or a small business transitioning to commercialization, the University of Maine\u2019s Food Pilot Plant may be a resource for you. Located in Hitchner Hall, the Dr. Matthew Highlands Food Pilot Plant offers services to enhance product lines, create value-added foods [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1966,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_seopress_robots_primary_cat":"","_seopress_titles_title":"","_seopress_titles_desc":"","_seopress_robots_index":"","_kad_blocks_custom_css":"","_kad_blocks_head_custom_js":"","_kad_blocks_body_custom_js":"","_kad_blocks_footer_custom_js":"","_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-7750","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"taxonomy_info":[],"featured_image_src_large":false,"author_info":{"display_name":"dtimmermann","author_link":"https:\/\/umaine.edu\/mafes\/author\/dtimmermann\/"},"comment_info":0,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/umaine.edu\/mafes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/7750","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/umaine.edu\/mafes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/umaine.edu\/mafes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/umaine.edu\/mafes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1966"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/umaine.edu\/mafes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=7750"}],"version-history":[{"count":16,"href":"https:\/\/umaine.edu\/mafes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/7750\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":7815,"href":"https:\/\/umaine.edu\/mafes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/7750\/revisions\/7815"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/umaine.edu\/mafes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=7750"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}