Maple Craft has been a steady presence at the Big E for the past seven years, representing its hometown of Sandy Hook, and will continue its tradition of introducing its new products at the fair this year with its Maple-Crafted New England Cranberry Sauce.

Maple Craft will be giving away free samples of the sauce along with its usual samples of maple syrup. Additionally, they’ll be teaming up with Uncle Matt’s Bakery to make Maple Cranberry Shortbread Squares.

According to Dave Ackert, “chief maple officer” of Maple Craft, each year, Maple Craft debuts a new product at the fair, and its Maple-Crafted New England Cranberry Sauce, and its associated shortbread squares, are this year’s product to show “ways to use the cranberry sauce.”

“The Big E is a great opportunity to introduce our new products to a large audience,” said Ackert.

Ackert said the company started at the Big E as a showcase vendor with a two-day booth. However, during that time the company proved extremely popular and had “the longest lines” in the exhibition hall, so when another vendor cancelled, Maple Craft was offered the chance to stay for the remainder of the fair.

“We crushed it,” said Ackert.

In telling people at the fair that the company is from Sandy Hook, he said sometimes they “get looks” due to the town having a national reputation as being the location of a tragedy, but he thought offering positive representation of the town could “really help the reputation of Sandy Hook.”

“We want people to see that something from Sandy Hook made them smile, and made them smile again when they take the product home,” said Ackert. “Sandy Hook is place where good things happen.”

Ackert said the best part is the interactions with people, while handing out free shots of maple syrup.

“A little shot of maple syrup goes a long way,” said Ackert.

The Big E “is a huge event for Maple Craft’s business, where employees interact with, hand out samples to, and hopefully, sell products to many of the 1.5M visitors who walk through the building over the 17 day event.

“It serves as the kickoff to our busiest time of year, the fall and winter holidays,” said Ackert.

The Maple-Crafted New England Cranberry Sauce contains only three ingredients, all harvested on New England farms — cranberries, maple syrup and apple cider. There are no fillers or refined sugars. The shortbread squares also replace the refined sugar with maple syrup.

“These may be the healthiest items available at the Big E, and they will probably be the least expensive food item available there too.

In addition to the sauce they will be offering free samples of all 13 varieties of Maple Craft Syrup there again.

At the Big E, Ackert noted that the Connecticut exhibition hall is divided between a small business end, run by the Department of Economic and Community development, and the agricultural side, run by the Department of Agriculture. Maple Craft helps “bridge the gap between the two,” as a small business with deep agricultural ties.

Associate Editor Jim Taylor can be reached at jim@thebee.com.