The Edmond-based company bought the equipment this past spring from OM Mushrooms of Norman, which was going out of business.
Heather Popowsky, owner of Oklahoma Mushrooms, launched the business in October with the very aggressive-growing oyster mushrooms blooming on her land in southeast Edmond.
A newly hired, full-time manager will help Popowsky grow Lions Mane, White Elm and Almond Portobello mushrooms in a no-pesticide, no-herbicide, climate-controlled environment. She plans to be at full production in mid-January, at which time she hopes to yield about 200 pounds of product per month.
Were focusing on gourmet product instead of button or standard portobello, Popowsky said. Its labor-intensive at the beginning.
Oklahoma Mushrooms has commitments to supply mushrooms to Local in Norman, Coach House, Bellinis Ristorante and La Baguette Bistro, with several other restaurants signed up to buy when production permits.
The chefs of this area are very big fans of the type of mushrooms were growing, Popowsky said. I am so excited about this there are a ton of health benefits of mushrooms.
Native Roots Market and Urban Agrarian will be the initial retail outlets to offer Oklahoma Mushrooms.
My action plan is to open it up when I can be consistent [with supply], she said.