June 4, 2013 — Sea algae is the key ingredient in SeaCrunch, a gluten-free bar made of almonds, sesame seeds, cranberries, maple syrup and kelp that Roth created.
The energy bar is one of the newest seaweed-based products his growing company VitaminSea Seaweed in Scarborough, produces and markets to health food stores throughout New England.
Roth began harvesting Maine seaweed seven years ago, initially to pay for the construction of a red skiff.
“We started off with our first order of two little 40-pound bags [of rockweed],” said Roth, who sold the seaweed to lobster co-ops for packing lobsters and shellfish. “That developed into 200 bags a week in a matter of a month.”
A commercial fisherman for 28 years, Roth decided to sell his two fishing boats and invest in the seaweed industry. He joined the Maine Seaweed Council, did his research, and began developing seaweed-based products.
“I just love being in the water in the kelp beds,” said Roth. “It’s phenomenally beautiful when you get to see the kelp swaying back and forth in the tides. The colors of the different kelps. It’s just an amazing thing to see.”
To reflect the nutritional value of their products, Roth and his wife, Kelly, named their company VitaminSea.
Read the full story at the Bangor Daily News