Did you know that you can eat specialty mushrooms raw but that cooking them helps break down their cell walls so you can properly digest them and reap all their nutritional benefits? This is just one of the many tidbits The Caring Mushroom Co. shares with its customers so they can get the most out of their meals. Eric Cyr-Smith is passionate about growing gourmet mushrooms – anything from savory oysters and brain-boosting lion’s mane to shiitake, chestnut, and the immune-supporting reishi. But more than growing, Eric desires to enrich lives and care for the planet. It’s a long checklist, but he’s been able to tackle all of the above and has turned some heads in the process. In 2023, The Caring Mushroom Co. was recognized for its hard work and dedication to the community, receiving the New Business of the Year Award from the Kitchener-Waterloo Chamber of Commerce.
It’s not surprising that so many in the community love The Caring Mushroom Co. The company lives and breathes sustainable, organic practices that benefit people and the environment. Embracing the Kaizen philosophy, the team is dedicated to continuously improving its products, practices, and community impact. Although not yet certified organic, all the mushrooms are grown using organic grain spawn mixed with hardwood sawdust and supplemented with wheat bran or soybean hulls. Once the mushroom blocks are colonized, they’re moved to the indoor fruiting area for production. The Caring Mushroom Co. strives for a low carbon footprint and aims to achieve net-zero emissions; energy-efficient cultivation methods and emission-free deliveries are a great start! Eco-friendly materials are used for packaging to help reduce waste and support responsible production. The company doesn’t use pesticides, chemicals, or fertilizers, and the spent mushroom substrate is typically donated to local farmers to use as compost for vegetable growing or as a soil conditioner to improve drainage in clay soils. The Caring Mushroom Co. also actively participates in the local community by planting trees and offering food donations at various times of the year.
Customers can count on a consistent supply of grow-to-order mushrooms to meet their culinary needs. All they have to do is email The Caring Mushroom Co. with the type of mushroom they’d like and the quantity. Always evolving, the business is revamping its model this year to offer local subscription boxes to the surrounding community, making it even easier to enjoy delicious, sustainable mushrooms.
A quote from Mahatma Gandhi on The Caring Mushroom’s website embodies the philosophy behind everything this company does: “Be the Change You Want to See in the World.”