10. Despite a serious demand for fresh, possibly local, possibly organic mushrooms!

10.  Despite a serious demand for fresh, possibly local, possibly organic mushrooms!

·      Reminder: per capita consumption of fresh mushrooms in Canada is approximately 3.5 lb. (1.6 kg.)

·      -> With an estimated 2012 population of 126,900, Kootenay people consume approximately 400,000 lbs of mushrooms per year – all imported so to speak.

·      Nelson:

◦     Kootenays Food Coop: informal survey (Ben Morris, Produce Manager): 100lbs of All Season Mushrooms sold to Coop Members per week (15% portobello, 15% oyster, 15% shiitake, 25% white buttons, 25% brown buttons, 5% other)

◦     Save On Foods: Western Family Foods / All Season Mushrooms (Vince): 100 – 150 lbs per week. 80% of it white buttons.

·      Cranbrook, Castlegar, Trail, Grand Forks, Invermere: research in progress.