Sarah Brown
Pennsylvania is known as the Mushroom Capital of the World, producing 68% of the nation's mushrooms. Phillips Mushroom Farms, located in Kennett Square, is the largest specialty mushroom grower in the US. The farm grows and sells seven different types of mushrooms: White Button, Crimini, Portabella, Shiitake, Oyster, Maitake, and Royal Trumpet®. However, selling mushrooms in Pennsylvania is regulated. Foragers/harvesters of wild mushrooms must be approved by the Department's Bureau of Food Safety & Laboratory Services and are required to take a mushroom ID course or hold a relevant degree. Additionally, there are restrictions on the species of mushrooms that can be sold, and they cannot be harvested from federal, state, or local parks and forests. While the medical use of psychedelics, including magic mushrooms, is currently illegal in Pennsylvania, there is an ongoing national conversation and legislative efforts to reconsider the legal status of these substances due to their potential therapeutic benefits.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Legality of selling mushrooms in PA | It is legal to sell mushrooms in PA. However, edible wild mushrooms for retail sale cannot be harvested from federal, state, and local parks and forests. |
| Mushroom species allowed to be sold | Hen of the Woods, Golden Chanterelle, White Chanterelle, Blue Chanterelle, Black Trumpet, Hedgehog Fungus, Common Puffball, Porcini, Manzanita Bolete, Matsutake, Blewit, Morels, Oyster Mushroom, Shaggy Mane, Coral Fungi, Truffles |
| Requirements to sell mushrooms | Must be approved by the Department's Bureau of Food Safety & Laboratory Services prior to harvesting. Need to have taken a mushroom ID course, hold a Master's degree or higher in Mycology, or have written verification from a mushroom expert. |
| Suggested methods for selling to restaurants | Go door-to-door with samples, negotiate prices, and explain the benefits of your product. Utilize social media and online platforms like Craigslist to reach potential customers. Attend farmers' markets and network with restaurant owners and chefs. |
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What You'll Learn
Requirements to sell foraged mushrooms
Mushroom Identification and Expertise:
Before harvesting wild mushrooms for sale in Pennsylvania, foragers/harvesters must first be approved by the Department's Bureau of Food Safety & Laboratory Services. This approval requires taking a recognized mushroom identification course, holding a Master's degree or higher in Mycology, or obtaining written verification from a mushroom expert. Knowledge of mushroom varieties and their toxic look-alikes is crucial to ensure safe foraging practices.
Permitted Foraging Locations:
Understanding where you can legally forage for mushrooms is essential. In Pennsylvania, foraging is prohibited in Pittsburgh City Parks, Allegheny County Parks (without written permission), and commercial harvesting is not allowed in Pennsylvania State Parks and State Forests. Always check the latest regulations and respect land restrictions to avoid legal issues.
Record-Keeping and Regulatory Compliance:
Regulatory requirements include tracking essential information such as the species name, harvester's contact details, harvest location, dates, and weight. These records must be retained for at least 90 days after the last mushroom is sold. Adhering to food safety inspections, proper labeling, and liability insurance are also recommended to comply with legal requirements.
Ethical and Sustainable Foraging Practices:
Focusing on sustainability and environmental responsibility is crucial. This includes adhering to local foraging laws, respecting the environment, and ensuring the long-term viability of mushroom populations. Proper preparation, cleaning, and packaging techniques are vital to maintaining the quality and freshness of the mushrooms.
Marketing and Sales:
Building a successful business also entails strategic marketing and reaching dedicated buyers. This may involve selling to restaurants, farmers' markets, or utilizing online platforms that cater to specialty food lovers. Consistency and reliability in delivering fresh, high-quality mushrooms are key to establishing strong partnerships and maximizing profits.
It is important to stay informed about the latest regulations and best practices in your specific location to ensure compliance with all legal requirements.
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Where to sell foraged mushrooms
If you want to sell foraged mushrooms in Pennsylvania, there are several things you should know. First, you must understand the rules about where you can and cannot forage. While personal foraging is permitted in Pennsylvania state parks and forests, commercial harvesting is prohibited. City ordinances also prohibit removing any natural materials from Pittsburgh City Parks and Allegheny County Parks, although you may be able to obtain written permission for the latter.
Secondly, to sell foraged mushrooms to restaurants or the public, you must be approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture Bureau of Food Safety & Laboratory Services. This requires taking a mushroom identification course, holding a Master's degree or higher in Mycology, or obtaining written verification from a mushroom expert.
Thirdly, when selling mushrooms, it is essential to focus on quality, safety, and environmental responsibility. This includes proper preparation and packaging, strategic marketing, and adherence to legal requirements. Educating yourself on responsible foraging practices and local regulations is crucial.
Now, where can you sell your foraged mushrooms? One option is to sell directly to restaurants, as some foragers in Philadelphia have done. You can also sell your mushrooms online through platforms such as Foraged, which offers national reach, wholesale support, and sales channel integration. Additionally, you can sell your mushrooms at farmers' markets, building a client base of food lovers who appreciate specialty foods.
Remember to always follow food safety guidelines, comply with food labeling requirements, and consider liability insurance to protect against potential legal issues. With dedication and a commitment to sustainability, you can successfully sell your foraged mushrooms in Pennsylvania.
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Mushroom types allowed to be sold
In 2018, the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture Bureau of Food Safety & Laboratory Services published regulations for the state of Pennsylvania. The regulations include an approved list of species that can be sold in Pennsylvania.
To be approved to sell wild mushrooms, you must first be approved by the Department's Bureau of Food Safety & Laboratory Services. To be approved, you need to have taken one of two accepted mushroom ID courses or hold a Master's degree or higher in Mycology, or have written verification from a mushroom expert.
Some of the mushroom types that are allowed to be sold in Pennsylvania include:
- Hen of the Woods (grifola frondosa)
- Golden Chanterelle (cantharellus cibarius)
- White Chanterelle (cantharellus subalbidus)
- Blue Chanterelle (polyozellus multiplex)
- Hedgehog Fungus (hydnum repandum, dentinum albidum, dentinum repandum, dentinum umbilicatum)
- Common Puffball (lycoperdon perlatum)
- Horn of Plenty (craterellus cornucopioides)
- Cauliflower Mushroom (sparassis crispa)
- Chicken of the Woods (laetiporus sulphureus)
- Lion’s Mane or Bear’s Head or Bearded Tooth (hericium erinaceus)
- Queen Bolete (boletus aereus)
- Porcini (boletus edulis)
- Manzanita Bolete (leccunum manzanitae)
- Matsutake (armillaria ponderosa, tricholoma magnivelare)
- Blewit (lepista nuda)
- Morels (morchella spp.)
- Oyster Mushroom (pleurotus ostreatus)
- Shaggy Mane or Lawyer’s Wig (coprinus comatus)
- Coral Fungi (clavariaceae)
- Truffles (tuber aestivum, tuber magnatum)
It is important to note that the sale of psilocybin mushrooms, also known as magic mushrooms or psychedelic mushrooms, is illegal in Pennsylvania. Psilocybin is classified as a Schedule I controlled substance under Pennsylvania state law, indicating that it has a high potential for abuse and no accepted medical use. While there have been legislative efforts to explore the therapeutic potential of psilocybin, it remains illegal for recreational and therapeutic use in the state.
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Legality of selling psychedelic mushrooms
In the United States, people ingest magic mushrooms for their hallucinogenic properties. The psychological effects of psilocybin can include altered perceptions of reality, euphoria, mood changes, fear, panic, and hallucinations. Psilocybin is classified as a Schedule I substance, meaning it is considered to have no medical use and a high potential for abuse.
Federal law and most states classify psilocybin as a Schedule I drug, making it illegal to possess, sell, or grow. However, there are a few exceptions. Colorado and Oregon have legalized certain uses, and a few cities have deprioritized arrest and prosecution for personal possession of psilocybin. In Oregon, people 21 and older can buy, possess, and consume psilocybin legally while supervised at a licensed "psilocybin service center". Possession of magic mushrooms outside this supervised setting is a drug enforcement misdemeanour. In November 2020, the District of Columbia passed Initiative 81, which came into effect on March 15, 2021, allowing for the possession and non-profit gifting or distribution of psilocybin mushrooms.
In some jurisdictions, Psilocybe spores are legal to sell and possess because they do not contain psilocybin or psilocin. However, in other jurisdictions, they are banned because they are used in drug manufacturing. There is an active underground economy involved in the sale of spores and cultivation materials.
In Pennsylvania, mushrooms are illegal. However, there is some ambiguity regarding the legal status of psychedelic mushrooms, as the medical program in the state does not sell edibles per se, but there are gummy products called troches that are available.
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Selling mushrooms to restaurants
Pennsylvania is the largest producer of specialty mushrooms in the United States, accounting for 68% of the nation's mushroom supply. The state is renowned for its agricultural focus, with mushrooms being the largest vegetable cash crop.
If you are looking to sell mushrooms to restaurants in Pennsylvania, there are several regulations and guidelines that must be followed. Firstly, it is important to note that edible wild mushrooms intended for retail sale cannot be harvested from federal, state, or local parks and forests. There are specific locations where mushroom foraging is permitted, and it is crucial to consult the Mushroom Picking Rules and Regulations in Pennsylvania for detailed information.
To sell foraged mushrooms to restaurants, you must first be approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture's Bureau of Food Safety and Laboratory Services. This approval process requires you to have completed one of the two accepted mushroom identification (ID) courses, hold a Master's degree or higher in Mycology, or obtain written verification from a recognised mushroom expert. The accepted mushroom ID courses will certify you for a specific list of mushroom species appropriate to the region.
Once you have obtained the necessary certifications or approvals, you can approach restaurants directly to offer your foraged mushrooms. It is beneficial to have a clear understanding of the mushroom varieties that restaurants in your area typically use and the quantities they require. Building relationships with chefs or restaurant owners can be a great way to establish yourself as a trusted supplier of wild mushrooms.
Additionally, participating in local mushroom festivals and events can be an excellent opportunity to connect with the culinary community and showcase your mushroom expertise. Pennsylvania's Mushroom Festival, for example, has donated all proceeds to local charities, amounting to $803,000 since 2002.
By following the necessary regulations, gaining the required expertise, and establishing connections within the restaurant industry, you can successfully sell mushrooms to restaurants in Pennsylvania.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, there are regulations for selling mushrooms in Pennsylvania. Foragers/harvesters of wild mushrooms must be approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture Bureau of Food Safety & Laboratory Services before harvesting. To be approved, one must have taken a mushroom ID course, hold a master's degree or higher in Mycology, or have written verification from a mushroom expert.
Some of the mushrooms that can be sold in Pennsylvania include White Button, Crimini, Portabella, Shiitake, Oyster, Maitake, and Royal Trumpet®.
Mushrooms can be sold to multi-unit restaurant operators and food manufacturers in Pennsylvania.
Yes, it is legal to gather wild mushrooms in Pennsylvania state parks. However, edible wild mushrooms for retail sale cannot be harvested from federal, state, and local parks and forests.
