By Debbie Adams
Stop by the Vinton Farmers’ Market this Saturday, April 6, between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. and
purchase some gourmet mushrooms, grown locally by Roanoke native Ryan Hunter.
Ryan graduated from James Madison University with a degree in biology and works as a lab scientist
for Indy Health Labs, but he is also a small business vendor selling gourmet mushrooms which
he grows in a tent in his basement in southeast Roanoke.
Ryan says growing mushrooms started out as a hobby in September 2022. While growing
cannabis is the trend, he decided he wanted to do something different and grow “farm-to-table
fresh organic produce” which he could sell locally at seasonal farmers’ markets.
He did some research, toured a mushroom farm in Christiansburg, and set up his growing space.
Once your equipment is in place, the process mainly involves choosing a mushroom variety,
preparing a growing medium, inoculating the medium with a mature mushroom colony or
spores, keeping the growing medium in a warm, dark, and humid environment, monitoring and
maintaining ideal growing conditions, and then after about one and a half months, harvesting the
mushrooms.
Early on Ryan gave the mushrooms he produced to family and friends, who enjoyed them. He
has expanded his business and is now ready to sell at local markets. He hopes to eventually make
connections with restaurants and groceries and sell his mushrooms wholesale, as well.
Customers, or those who are just interested in learning more about gourmet mushrooms, will get
their opportunity this weekend in Vinton.
Not only are his mushrooms delicious, they are quite striking, even beautiful, in appearance. One
of his most popular mushroom varieties (his own favorite and the most popular in general at
produce markets) is the Lion’s Mane. The mushrooms are large, white, and shaggy resembling a
lion’s mane as they grow.
The Lion’s Mane is also thick and meaty, and can be pan-fried, resembling the texture of steak.
(Many mushroom varieties are considered meat substitutes.) Slice the mushroom into thick
slices. Brush with olive oil. Season with steak seasoning. Pan sear in a big skillet (cast iron
works well) for 2-3 minutes per side. Top with a pat of butter, if desired.
mushroom, which resembles steak.
Ryan says the Lion’s Mane, and many other varieties, have both culinary and medicinal uses.
The Lion’s Mane ones contain bioactive substances that have many beneficial effects on the
body, including protection from cancer, heart disease, mild depression and anxiety, digestive
tract ulcers, and inflammation. They are said to help manage diabetes symptoms, boost the
immune system, repair nervous system injuries, and may be used in the future for treating
Multiple Sclerosis.
Ryan also grows a variety of oyster mushrooms (also eye-catching) – pink, blue, golden, and
Elm. All of these can be incorporated in soups and pasta dishes. You can google online for
countless gourmet mushroom recipes.
The shelf life of most mushrooms is from 3 to 5 days. Ryan says you can dehydrate them, but
they are “best enjoyed fresh.”
If you are interested in growing your own mushrooms, Ryan can assist you with that with petri
dishes, gourmet mushroom cultures, and colonizing kits. He is also interested in teaching a class
on mushroom growing in the future once his business is established.
One of his hobbies is foraging for mushrooms in the mountains around Roanoke, most notably
on Bent Mountain. He says most are found near running water.
While his own degree was in science, his dad has owned a business for many years, so Ryan
has some knowledge of business plans. He hasn’t encountered much competition in Roanoke in
the sale of gourmet mushrooms; in fact, he hasn’t noticed any mushrooms for sale at local
markets.
He will be offering his produce at the Vinton Farmers’ Market on Saturdays and the Roanoke
City Market on Sundays every other weekend beginning on April 6. He says he chose Vinton
because market coordinator Caroline Loveland was the first to respond to his inquiries; they
don’t require massive paperwork; and the Vinton market is close to his home. He plans to
maintain his booth in Vinton through its closing date on October 31.
For more information on Hunter’s Gourmet Shroomery and his market schedule, visit his
Facebook page – simply type the name.
Stop by the Vinton Farmers’ Market this Saturday, April 6, and shop local!
The market is located in downtown Vinton at 204 West Lee Avenue. The official opening date
for the entire Vinton Farmers’ Market is May 4.
