We have harvested wild gourmet mushrooms for several years. For the last six years we have sold them to area gourmet restaurants and a five star hotel. Alas, our supply exceeds the local demend. ( At least 100lbs per week in season.) We pick Morels, Chanterels, Black Trumpets, Maitake, Sulfer Shelfs and several kinds of Boletes. Does anyone know of a wholesaler or retailer in the eastern US that may be interested?

-- Terri Perry (tperry@stargate.com), July 07, 2000

Answers

Have you thought of drying them and selling them directly to the public yourself?

-- Sue (sulandherb@aol.com), July 07, 2000.

What about direct to the public at a farmers' market. On a wholesaler, try contacting The Mushroom People, The Farm, Summertown, TN. Don't know zip or phone. If you call information for Summertown just as for The Farm.

The Farm started out as a huge hippy-type commune on about 900 acres. It's now down to about 100 people. They have their own school and health clinic (which specializes in home-birthing). One of their private enterprises is mushroom growing. You may have read about it in Peter Jenken's book about walking across America since he spent some time there - it's where his dog was run over by the hay wagon.

-- Ken Scharabok (scharabo@aol.com), July 08, 2000.

Any gourmet delicatessens or specialist Asian food stores near your area?

-- Don Armstrong (darmst@yahoo.com.au), July 08, 2000.

Any vegetarain organizations in your area?? If there is, contact them- -you probably will be able to sell to all the members!!!! Don't know what state you are in--but I'll try to find my web site that lists all the vegetarain organizations in each state. Also does your state have a bed & breakfast organization? In our area b & b's buy all herbs & organic fruit & veggies & mushrooms, they can get! Just a couple of ideas that work here! Also, do you have food coop in your area--as they would probably buy all of your extra! Sonda in Ks.

-- Sonda (sgbruce@birch.net), July 10, 2000.

Were are you? How much?What it the smallest amount you will sell?

-- becky (Joel681@webtv.net), July 10, 2000.

I'm with Becky; Why not sell to us? If you can sell in small enough amounts I would be very interested. Let us know.

Jim

-- Jim Tanner (tanner_jim@hotmail.com), July 10, 2000.

We advertise in the local "cheap add shopper" paper, it's cheap and they get out to about 5,000 local folks. We get non-typical restaurants who are thinking "special", we get people wanting to dry, cook, or share. Theres a hundred folks with a hundred reasons, just try one add locally, and see how the response is. It works for us. I say sale to who will buy, and skip the middle man. Your work, your money. (It seems to help if you list the prices in the add, people hate to call and find out prices)

-- Marty (Mrs.Puck@excite.com), July 10, 2000.

Thanks for all of the ideas and interest. We are located in White Sulphur Springs, Greenbrier County, West Virginia. This is in the southeastern part of the state, bordering Virginia. We are currently picking chanterelles, sulfer shelf and black trumpets. Also a few boletes. The others will be available as they come on. (Maitake in fall, Morel in spring) We sell the maitake dried for $40/lb. The chanterelles are currently bringing $12/lb and the black trumpets go for $10/lb,Sulfer shelf gets $8/lb, all fresh prices. I would be willing to ship them fresh or dehydrated. Would have to see about shipping costs. I do not know of any food coops or vegetarian groups. I have spoken to a few wholesale companies but all want a definite amount, which I cannot promise. We have picked up to 60 lbs in a day, over 100lbs many weeks, then to only have 30 lbs for the entire next week. Nothing is definite in nature.

-- Terri Perry (tperry@stargate.com), July 10, 2000.

Terri:

I sell over eBay and thus have a chart of USPS rates. Those for Express Mail (normally next day) delivery start out at $11.75 for up to eight ounces and up to $33.00 for up to ten pounds. Over that I would have to go into www.usps.com (domestic rate calculator function) to get prices. You can also get prices from www.ups.com for overnight delivery. However, determine first if your local UPS drop-off point charges a surcharge for their service. Mine does so I have to guess what it will be over the www.ups.com quote. Normally I factor in an extra 25%. UPS recently raised their rates which, in addition to the surcharge, now makes sending through the Post Office cheaper. They will supply free shipping supplies, such as boxes. Sounds like you might be able to build up a sideline mail order aspect subject to availability.

-- Ken Scharabok (scharabo@aol.com), July 11, 2000.

P.S. What is the most expensive food in the world? Caviar - nope. Its the black truffle, which can sell for several thousand dollars per pound.

-- Ken Scharabok (scharabo@aol.com), July 11, 2000.

I don't live far from you and would be willing to come pick them up. It sounds like u could really add mail order to your sales. becky

-- BEcky (Joel681@webtv.net), July 14, 2000.

Could you export to Ireland?

-- Caoimhin Woods (caoimhin@indigo.ie), August 01, 2001.

You may also wish to see if there are any Seventh Day Adventists churches in your area. They usually have some kind of coop from which they sell to their members, or would make the info available to their members. At least that is the way it works in my area. Best wishes! Wish I lived nearby, I'd be there in a heartbeat!

-- Aunt Bee (Aunt__Bee@hotmail.com), August 01, 2001.

We are from indonesia and would like to offers white button mushroom in the canned. if interested, do not hestitate to send email at : marshal_pratama@yahoo.co.uk

-- marshal pratama (marshal_pratama@yahoo.co.uk), March 17, 2002.