Making the transition into civil life can be quite a challenge for veterans. Matthew J. Wagenfer, Sr., a retired, U.S. Air Force and Maryland Air National Guard (Disabled Veteran), chose a unique transition as the proud owner of “Taste the Balkans.” This Church Hill based business specializes in bringing authentic Balkan flavors to the United States. We interviewed Matt about his time in the service and the transition to the olive oil business.
Give us some background on your service career. Between active-duty Air Force and the Maryland Air National Guard, I served 23 years with deployments to areas in Southwest Asia, Southeast Asia, and parts of Europe. I am a service-connected disabled veteran.
What was your role during the time that you served? I spent 10 years as an Air Force Fire Protection (Firefighter) – 3E771, and 13 years as an Air Force Emergency Management and CBRN Specialist – 3E971.
How did your experiences in the service shape your life? The skills and perspectives that I gained influenced my approach to new challenges and opportunities in my post-service years. During my service, I was actively involved in providing training and program support to partner nations. This responsibility allowed me to develop expertise in cross-cultural collaboration and capacity building. These experiences cultivated a sense of purpose and commitment to supporting others.
How did you get started in the olive oil business? What piqued your interest? I spent a lot of time in the Balkans during my time in service and now as an independent contractor. While in the Balkans, I made many connections with the people, the culture and the food. Few things help people connect with a culture more deeply than experiencing its food and beverages. Sharing traditional dishes and drinks offers insight into the history, values, and daily lives of the people.
What about the Albanian olive oil makes it better than others? My decision was deeply influenced by both my service experience and my appreciation for authentic, high-quality ingredients. Through extensive travel and collaboration with local communities, I discovered that Albanian Olive Oil is renowned for its rich flavor profile, purity, and traditional production methods. The unique climate and centuries-old cultivation practices of the region result in an olive oil that stands apart from others.
You are the importer (distributor)… how are you involved with the Albanian company? I have an Albanian production and supply company (Musai). I have visited the production facility in Albania several times and have met with the owner and managers. Taste the Balkans aims to import more Balkan food products to expand our offerings. Our initial focus is on products from Kosovo, North Macedonia, Bosnia, and Albania, with plans to include additional items from other parts of the Balkan Peninsula. I also have met with owners and managers of food product companies in these areas. Importing for a small business involves significant costs and requires heavy capital investment. Few port agent companies work with small businesses, so we have our challenges in front of us.
Three, local brick-and-mortar retailers sell Taste the Balkans Olive Oil: Olivins Tasting Room in St. Michaels; The Monocle Meat Company in Stevensville; and Leah Allen Farms in Queenstown. Orders also can be placed online at www.tastethebalkans.co.
