Sinless Pop in Camden

Aug 14

From the outside, Sinless Pop might look like just another sweet treat on the shelf. But dig a little deeper and you'll find a story of intention, transformation, and a deep-rooted desire to do things differently.

Amanda Chase, the founder and maker behind Sinless Pop, spent years raising her daughter in Rockport while quietly imagining a business that could align with her values. "I wanted a job that brought joy to my life," she says, "one that was fun, flexible, and allowed me to still be fully present for my daughter."

Having practiced clinical psychology, Amanda had spent years supporting others, but felt a strong pull to create something of her own. Her solution? A crunchy, vegan caramel popcorn made from organic ingredients and packaged in 100% compostable bags. "There are plenty of local bakers doing wonderful things. I didn’t want to compete. I wanted to offer something new, that felt like me, something clean, joyful, and shelf-stable that could live in stores."

Amanda perfected her recipe over dozens of iterations, filling a notebook with more than 30 variations. From the beginning, she refused to compromise: no preservatives, no plastic, and no shortcuts. "When I told people I was starting a caramel popcorn business, I could tell they thought it was a little random. But I felt something telling me to trust this path."

Turns out, she was right. Within weeks of launching, local shops embraced the product. "The first store I walked into, a woman bought a bag on the spot," Amanda recalls. "I was blown away by how quickly and warmly the Midcoast community welcomed me."

That sense of community runs through every part of the business. Her husband, Pearson Snyder, plays a critical behind-the-scenes role, handling sales, production, logistics, and late-night kitchen cleanup. Their daughter, Koana, is the official taste tester and design consultant. "She had strong opinions about everything: how salty it should be, what the font should look like, even the color of the packaging. I respect and incorporate every one of them."

What began as a one-woman vision has grown into a true family venture. Now sold in over 20 stores throughout Maine (and a few beyond), Sinless Pop is expanding production and preparing for wider distribution. Amanda still makes every batch by hand in her Camden kitchen, working quietly behind the scenes, grounded in her original intention: to create something beautiful and sustainable, something joyful, and something that makes people feel good.

"This business is a reflection of how I want to live," she says. "It’s not about just making a product. It’s about being part of a community. It’s about showing my daughter that you can create a life that works for you, even if it doesn’t look like anyone else’s."

FAMOUS FOR:
The ultimate caramel popcorn- certified organic, vegan, and gluten free, with pure Maine maple syrup as its #1 ingredient. Crunchy, delicious, and made with only the finest ingredients- no refined sugar, corn syrup, or dyes. Sinless Pop is infamously known as the sweet treat you cannot stop eating, but still feel great after- especially when you put its plastic-free package right in your home compost.

WHERE TO BUY:
Many of your favorite midcoast markets, co-ops and farms, including: