From Kitchen Startup to National Brand: How Lewis Goldstein Is Betting Big on Buckwheat

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 GetzLewis's backstory and how his experiences have shaped the company he now runsWhy buckwheat is one of the most underrated gluten-free superfoodsHow Lewis helped grow Maine Crisps into a nationally recognized brandLewis’s advice for founders building mission-driven food brands

Connect with Lewis and Maine Crisps

Website: mainecrisp.com

Instagram: @mainecrisp

Facebook: @mainecrisp

LinkedIn: @Maine Crisp Co.