Meet the trader... Adi's Mushrooms
Introducing… Adi’s Mushrooms, a regular trader at the weekly Food and Farmers market.
Who are you and what’s your business?
Hello, my name is Adi.
I have been a social worker and academic for over 30 years. I have been foraging even longer than that and I always dreamed of studying mycology, when I am retired.
Having finished my PhD in 2020, I realised that I did not want to wait for retirement and so in 2021 I founded Adi's Urban Mushrooms. My mission is to share the love for mushrooms and fungi.
I grow mushrooms at the Remakery in Camberwell/Brixton. So, the mushrooms I sell at BPP Food and Farmer’s market are totally fresh. If I have any mushrooms left, I turn them into Jerky. I also offer workshops and grow kits for people who want to grow their own mushrooms at home and who want to learn about foraging for wild mushrooms.
I am fascinated by the possibilities that fungi offer, for example to address climate change.
Not only do they offer a delicious and valuable food source, they can also be turned into plastic-free packaging and clothing, clean up the planet and continue to help fight diseases. The time is right to make the world aware of the immense importance of fungi for sustainable local economies.
As a social worker, social justice is important to me. Adi’s Urban Mushrooms is therefore a not-for-profit business and supports people from all communities to grow their own mushrooms. I love collaborating with community gardens.
I know that lifelong learning can be rewarding. I therefore use my experience as a learner and educator to create enjoyable mushrooms and foraging courses.
For me, mushrooms are all about connecting with nature and delicious food. I am a passionate cook and can help you create tasty meals that you can enjoy with friends and family. Feel good about what you buy and eat – eat more local, delicious and sustainable mushrooms!
What can BPP visitors find in your stall?
My best sellers are fresh cultivated mushrooms. I harvest these the night before and unless you attend a farmer’s market, you cannot get any fresher gourmet mushrooms. I also sell delicious mushroom Jerky in different flavours. People love them as they are tasty and can be eaten as a snack or chopped up on soups, salads or stir-fries. For those looking to boost their well-being, I also produce mushroom tinctures with traditional medicinal mushrooms. Last, but not least I offer grow kits for people to grow their own mushrooms at home.
If you had to choose one word that describes your business/stall, what would it be?
Fascinating
What is your most popular product?
Fresh mushrooms and Jerky. They both sell well.
There are many reasons why more and more people discover mushrooms: they offer a healthy alternative to meat, are super tasty and all my products are 100% vegan.
Do you have any underappreciated products you’d like to champion?
I have not yet sold many grow kits. With Christmas coming soon, this is an ideal present for mushroom lovers. The kits are ready to be opened at home and within a couple of weeks customers can harvest their first flush of oyster mushrooms. But that’s only half the story. The best part of growing your own mushrooms at home is that you can watch them grow. Literally. They double in size every day and over the course of five to seven days you will see
I have started growing mushrooms commercially at the beginning of 2022. I grow them at the Remakery Brixton, which aims to reduce waste by reusing, recycling and upcycling materials. I am currently growing the mushrooms on straw (an agricultural waste product) and will start growing them on spent coffee grounds in 2023. When setting up the grow rooms, I used as many second-hand materials as I could find.
Producing mushrooms in London for the local community also reduces food mileage. Unlike most supermarket oyster mushrooms, which are largely produced in Eastern Europe or Asia, Adi’s Urban Mushrooms’ Oysters only travel within South East London.
Can you share something about yourself that most people don’t know about?
While I currently still earn some money as a part-time lecturer – I don’t yet earn anything from selling mushrooms – I also play double bass with the Magic City Trio.
WHERE TO FIND THE BUSINESS
You can find Adi’s Urban Mushrooms at Beckenham Place Park Food and Farmer’s Market on most Sundays or online:
Facebook UrbanMushroomsLondon
Instagram @adisurbanmushrooms/