South Australia enjoys a year-round supply of Oyster mushrooms thanks to the new facility built by Epicurean Food Group. It is a vertical farm inside what used to be a Holden Car Factory paint shed.
"This is the first Oyster mushroom farm in South Australia – there are no other suppliers of Oyster mushrooms being grown commercially locally. Traditionally oyster mushrooms are imported from Asia into the Australian market," explains Penny Reidy, SA Produce Market, Marketing Manager.
Consumers in South Australia are not familiar with Oyster mushrooms as they have not been available in consistent supply as they are now. Independent fruit and veg stores across South Australia are increasingly stocking the line.
"There is definitely a need to educate consumers on how to use oyster mushrooms in their everyday cooking as there is not that familiarity with them. Pick a Local, Pick SA! brand ambassador and Masterchef Callum Hann recommends the mushrooms add great flavour and texture to pasta dishes and stir fries and recommends home cooks add them in with their button mushrooms for some variety.
"The investment in the farm has come from the gap in the market of any supplier locally. The consumer demand has been growing – oyster mushrooms are nutrient rich with many health benefits – and the trend is that popularity will continue to rise as supplies become more available with quality consistency that comes from being grown locally."
For more information
Penny Reidy
SA Produce Markets
Tel: +61 8 8349 4493
enquiry@saproducemarket.com.au
www.saproducemarket.com.au