Meet the Team Behind Westchester Mushroom Co.
The health benefits of mushrooms are quite impressive as well as being incredibly versatile and delicious. During a recent interview with Austin Schatz, CEO of Westchester Mushroom Co., we learned more about their line of specialty mushrooms farmed right in Westchester County. As Westchester’s only indoor mushroom farm, they hand-picked and harvest their mushrooms that gets to you in days. After meeting Jonathan Vantman and Benny Liu at Fable Farm, they got into experimenting with oyster mushrooms and decided to rent a small commercial space to grow mushrooms, which led to growing them for local chefs in Westchester, and now some restaurants. Read on to learn more about Westchester Mushroom Co. and where you get their specialty mushrooms.
Westchester Family: How did the idea for the Westchester Mushroom Co. come about?
Austin Schatz: My co-founders and I met while working at a more traditional farm (Fable Farm in Ossining) where we started experimenting with growing oyster mushrooms. We were blown away by the taste and texture of specialty mushrooms harvested fresh.
We realized that we needed an indoor controlled environment to grow them properly, so we went out on a limb and rented a tiny commercial space where we began growing mushrooms for a handful of local chefs. A year and a half later, we are now in a much larger space and providing to all 10 Deciccos and Sons grocery store locations and more than a dozen restaurants.
Westchester Family: Why mushrooms?
Austin Schatz: Specialty mushrooms have a short shelf life and don’t retain quality when shipped long distances. These factors make specialty mushrooms a great product to grow and deliver locally (and also a reason why they aren’t already in the stores). Large mushroom producers prefer growing Agaricus mushrooms (button, crimini, and portabella) because they can tolerate much more shipping, handling, and time on the shelf.
Westchester Family: What types of mushrooms do you sell?
Austin Schatz: We sell specialty mushrooms. Many different types of oyster mushroom (blue, pink, golden, PoHo, Italian, black pearl, king), as well as lion’s mane, chestnut, and pioppino.
Westchester Family: What are some of your favorite ways to enjoy your mushrooms?
Austin Schatz: We always recommend keeping it simple. Sauteed with oil/butter and enjoyed solo or with your favorite pasta, pizza, omelet, etc. They can also be battered and fried, roasted, and baked into your favorite recipes.
Westchester Family: Where can consumers find your mushrooms in Westchester?
Austin Schatz: Our mushrooms are currently on the shelves at all 10 Deciccos and Sons locations as well as these local Westchester restaurants: Sweetgrass Grill, Grass Roots Kitchen, Rivermarket Bar and Kitchen in Tarrytown, Augustine’s Salumeria in Mamaroneck, Peter Pratt’s Inn in Yorktown Heights, Maria in New Rochelle, The Raconteur Bar and Kitchen in Pleasantville, Heritage 147 in Larchmont, and Clocktower Grill in Brewster.
Westchester Family: How are you different from what’s out there?
Austin Schatz: We provide the most unique mushroom varieties locally available, harvested fresh and delivered same-day to our restaurant partners and Decicco & Sons locations. Most people have never tried a mushroom harvested fresh.
Westchester Family: What’s next for the Westchester Mushroom Company?
Austin Schatz: We’re just getting started! In the coming months, we have our sights set on launching some of the mushroom varieties that we have been trialing. But in the medium term, we are thinking about how to provide educational opportunities for the community, products for individuals who want to grow mushrooms at home or in their garden, as well as online content to help educate people about growing and/or eating specialty mushrooms!
Discover more about Westchester Mushroom Co. here.
