Laura Smith
Highline Mushrooms is a Canadian company that was founded in 1961 and grew to become the largest mushroom grower in Canada and the world's largest grower of organic mushrooms. In 2016, Highline Mushrooms, then Canada's biggest mushroom producer, was acquired by Fyffes PLC, an Irish food and fresh-food company, for $145 million. Fyffes PLC is headquartered in Dublin and its core business includes bananas, melons, and pineapples. Highline Mushrooms continues to operate as a subsidiary of Fyffes PLC with five facilities in Ontario and Quebec, marketing approximately 58 million pounds of mushrooms per year.
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Highline Mushrooms is a subsidiary of Fyffes PLC
Highline Mushrooms, founded in 1961, has grown to become the largest mushroom grower in Canada and the world's largest grower of organic mushrooms. With five facilities in Ontario and Quebec, Highline markets approximately 58 million pounds (26.3 million kg) of mushrooms per year. The company operates in the production and distribution of mushroom products, catering to retail and food service markets.
Highline's highly developed cropping techniques have enabled them to grow all-white, mini bella, and portabella mushrooms without the use of any pesticides or fungicides regularly required in mushroom cultivation. The company has been committed to sustainability, transitioning from colored plastic to 100% recyclable clear rPET packaging, and minimizing food waste.
The acquisition by Fyffes PLC allows Highline Mushrooms to expand its global reach and access new markets. Fyffes PLC's strategic objective is to add an additional product to its existing offerings and leverage Highline's established success and integrated operations.
Highline Mushrooms' experienced management team, led by CEO Glenn Martin, continues to run the business as a subsidiary. The acquisition ensures that Highline's operations remain headquartered in Leamington, Canada, with all five Canadian locations in operation and business as usual for its employees.
Mushrooms Rich in Ergothioneine: A Comprehensive Guide
You may want to see also
Leamington, Ontario-based
Highline Mushrooms was founded by O'Neil, who was a "firm believer in detail". O'Neil travelled far and wide to learn the latest technologies and adopt the best practices. He created a highly computerized and mechanized agricultural operation where the growing, packing, and shipping were conducted with assembly-line efficiency.
In 2016, Leamington's Highline Mushrooms, Canada's top mushroom grower, was acquired by Fyffes PLC, an Irish fresh-food company with a global reach, for $145 million. Highline's management team, led by CEO Glenn Martin, continued to run the business, with all five Canadian locations remaining in operation.
Highline Mushrooms has been committed to sustainability and climate-smart practices. The company has transitioned from coloured plastic to 100% recyclable clear rPET packaging, aligning with the Golden Design Rules for plastic packaging. This move has been well-received by retailers and consumers, reducing waste and increasing the visibility of the mushrooms.
In 2018, Highline Mushrooms acquired All Seasons Mushrooms, one of the largest mushroom growers in Western Canada. With this acquisition, Highline expanded its operations and continued its commitment to providing high-quality mushrooms to its customers.
The Art of Seasoning Mushrooms: Timing is Everything
You may want to see also
Sustainable packaging
Highline Mushrooms, previously Canada's largest mushroom producer, was acquired by Fyffes, an Irish fresh-food company, for $145 million in 2016. Headquartered in Leamington, Ontario, Highline Mushrooms operates four production facilities in Ontario and a distribution center in Quebec, producing, packaging, and distributing various fresh mushrooms.
The global food industry is under increasing pressure to adopt sustainable practices, and packaging plays a crucial role in this transition. Traditional packaging materials, such as plastic and styrofoam, contribute significantly to environmental degradation and pollution. As consumers become more conscious of their environmental impact, brands that embrace sustainable practices can gain a competitive edge by appealing to eco-conscious buyers.
Mushroom packaging, derived from mycelium (the root structure of mushrooms), is an innovative and sustainable alternative that is gaining traction. This type of packaging is created by combining mycelium with organic agricultural waste, such as corn stalks or wood chips. The mycelium binds the materials together, forming a solid, durable, and compostable structure. Mushroom packaging is biodegradable, renewable, and protective, offering an excellent alternative to traditional packaging materials.
One of the limitations of mushroom packaging is its cost. Producing mycelium-based packaging can be more expensive than plastic production, particularly when produced at scale. However, as demand for sustainable packaging solutions increases, costs are expected to decrease over time with advancements in technology and production processes.
Companies like Ecovative, a leader in mushroom packaging technology, have collaborated with major brands like IKEA to develop sustainable packaging alternatives. Ecovative's MycoComposite™ is cost-competitive with petroleum-based foam polymers while requiring significantly less energy and being 100% home compostable.
Mushroom packaging is versatile and can be molded into various shapes and sizes, making it suitable for a wide range of applications in the food industry and beyond. It offers protective qualities and excellent insulation, comparable to traditional foam coolers, while being fully home compostable.
With continued research, investment, and innovations in mycelium technology, mushroom packaging has the potential to transform the food industry and provide a scalable, sustainable solution to traditional packaging.
Best Mushrooms for Stuffing: Big, Meaty, and Tasty!
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Sold for $145 million
Highline Mushrooms, Canada's premier grower, shipper, and marketer of fresh mushrooms, was sold to Fyffes PLC, an Irish food giant, for $145 million. Highline Mushrooms, founded in 1961, is the largest operator in the mushroom industry in Canada, marketing approximately 58 million pounds (26.3 million kg) of mushrooms per year. The company operates four production facilities in Ontario and a distribution center in Quebec, producing, packaging, and distributing a variety of fresh mushrooms.
The acquisition of Highline Mushrooms by Fyffes PLC was announced on April 1, 2016. Fyffes is a Dublin-headquartered multinational company with a core business in bananas, melons, and pineapples. The acquisition of Highline Mushrooms allowed Fyffes to expand into a new food category, as mushrooms were identified as a growing sector in fresh produce.
Highline Mushrooms has a long history and a successful track record of growth. They operate state-of-the-art mushroom facilities in North America and are committed to sustainability and climate-smart practices. Their highly developed cropping techniques have enabled them to grow mushrooms without the use of pesticides or fungicides.
Following the acquisition, Highline Mushrooms continued to run its business as usual. All five Canadian locations remained in operation, and the experienced management team, led by CEO Glenn Martin, remained in place. The transaction aligned with Fyffes' strategic objective of adding an additional product to its existing portfolio through the acquisition of a successful, integrated operator in a category with significant scale.
The sale of Highline Mushrooms to Fyffes PLC for $145 million represents a significant milestone in the mushroom industry, with Canada's top mushroom grower joining forces with a global leader in fresh produce.
Mushroom Magic: Understanding Fungi Functionality
You may want to see also
Employs 1,150-1,600 people
Highline Mushrooms is a Canadian company that is the largest operator in the mushroom industry in Canada, marketing approximately 58 million pounds (26.3 million kg) of mushrooms per year. It was founded in 1961 and has grown to become the largest mushroom grower in Canada and the world's largest grower of organic mushrooms.
The company operates four to five production facilities in Ontario and a distribution center in Quebec, where it produces, packages, and distributes a variety of fresh white, mini bella, portobello, and exotic mushrooms. Highline Mushrooms is headquartered in Leamington, Canada, and employs 1,150-1,600 people.
Highline Mushrooms has been focused on its core business of mushrooms and has developed highly efficient and mechanized agricultural operations. The company's Leamington operation, north of the town's urban core, houses its biggest operation and head office. More than 400 employees at this site ship out 450,000 pounds of mushrooms a week, year-round.
Highline Mushrooms has been committed to sustainability and has transitioned from colored plastic to 100% recyclable clear rPET packaging. This move aligns with the company's values of driving consumption through high-quality, visible mushrooms, as well as contributing to waste minimization and a climate-smart future.
In 2018, Highline Mushrooms acquired All Seasons Mushrooms, one of the largest mushroom growers in Western Canada. This acquisition added four more facilities to Highline's operations and increased their combined employee count to 1,400.
Mushroom Magic: Unveiling the Secrets of Spawn Creation
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Highline Mushrooms is a subsidiary of Fyffes PLC, a Dublin-headquartered multinational company.
Fyffes PLC acquired Highline Mushrooms on April 1, 2016, for \$145 million.
Highline Mushrooms was founded in 1961 and grew to become the largest mushroom grower in Canada and the world's largest grower of organic mushrooms.
Highline Mushrooms is headquartered in Leamington, Canada, with five facilities in Ontario and Quebec.
Highline Mushrooms is the largest operator in the mushroom industry in Canada, marketing approximately 58 million pounds (26.3 million kg) of mushrooms per year. It has 1,600 employees and continues to operate as a subsidiary of Fyffes PLC.
