You might say business is mushrooming at The Mushroomery farm in the foothills of the Cascades in Lebanon, Oregon. Since Jennifer Macone and Dustin Olsen started their business in 2004, they’ve seen interest grow in mushrooms and their company’s wide variety of tasty morsels.
“Dustin and I met through the love of mushrooms,” Jennifer says. “When we started our farm, mushrooms weren’t being cultivated as much for the varieties we’re growing, so I wanted to provide those to people because I consider them not only delicious, but extremely healthy.”
Mushrooms are prized not only for a rich, earthy flavor that many enjoy but for their medicinal properties, as well. They’re also a good source of B vitamins, and studies have shown they have anti-inflammatory effects.
The Mushroomery remains a small operation, but Jennifer and Dustin keep busy raising many different varieties, including lion’s mane, shiitake, chestnut and oyster. They also harvest wild mushrooms that must be chosen with care, as some types can be dangerous to eat. Medicinal mushrooms, powders, and “grow your own” kits round out their offerings. The Mushroomery is certified organic and grows all their mushrooms without the use of chemicals.
Dustin says they appreciate the support they’ve received from Market of Choice. “We’ve been in business with Market of Choice for 12 years now, and they were one of the first grocery stores to carry our products. It was really exciting for us and really helpful.”
Jennifer says she’s a fan of Market of Choice because we put an emphasis on local partnerships. “They support local,” she says. “They are open to any new products that we create or grow. It’s been fantastic working with them.”
