MECHANIC FALLS — The Maine Grocers Association announces that its Food Producer of the Year award goes to Shannon Bissonnette of Better Than Average, LLC. Jams, Jellies and Sauces.

Bissonnette started making jams and jellies from local ingredients and without preservatives, for her two children and selling them at local fairs, farm stands and small shops. In 2010, she opened her processing facility in Mechanic Falls where she makes 19 different jams, jellies and sauces for sale online and in more than 70 retail locations.

She is a member of the Maine Food Producers Alliance since 2010. Her mission is to provide the best products and service to her customers. She is dedicated to making her “homemade goodies with gourmet quality” in small batches with fresh from the farm ingredients.

The award was presented at the Maine Food Means Business 2011 Summit held Oct. 27.