We know the immune system is important for staying healthy, but what exactly is it and what can we do to support it?

The immune system is a complicated network of cells, tissues and organs in your body that protect against infection and disease. Given that there are so many pieces to the puzzle, there’s not one easy fix that can transform a weak immune system into a strong one in a snap of the fingers, but nutrition certainly plays an important role in its function.

Key Nutrients For Supporting Your Immune System
There are certain micronutrients in the foods we eat that play a key role in supporting the immune system1. An important step you can take for your immunity is to ensure you’re getting the recommended daily allowances2 of these nutrients. Find out how each of them serves your body and which foods you can find them in.

Mushroom Council has developed a "Feed your immune" system campaign, where they talke about nutrients in food and especially in mushrooms.
For the complete article, click here
Source: Mushroom Council

Today in the leading role: the King oyster mushroom, also known as Eryngii. This mushroom grows on sawdust substrate to which mycelium is added. As soon as the King Oyster mushrooms start to grow, the bags are opened so that they can fully develop. When they are fully grown, the mushrooms are harvested by hand. The King oyster mushroom does very well in the kitchen. And because of its source of fiber, protein, vitamins and minerals, this mushroom is a healthy addition to any dish and also a great substitute for meat ♥

Since May 2019, after it’s festive opening, the Lambert Spawn plant in The Netherlands is operative and has been supplying the European, Russian and Chinese market since then. Ies Hooglugt and his team have been improving and increasing the sales step by step.

On January 1st 2021 Guido Stevens joined the Lambert Spawn family. Guido Stevens will be responsible for the sales, customer service and other commercial activities. This will give Ies Hooglugt the chance to invest more time in the development of the company, new markets and innovations. Guido has worked for 4 years in the mushroom industry in positions within export and sales He is 27 years young, enthusiastic and full of new ideas; and brings a broad experience in sales, export, marketing and customer service to the table.

Lambert Spawn is market leader in Northern America and wants to increase it’s market share in Europe, Russia, Middle- and Far East. With their premium quality products they have been the mushroom growers resource since 1919, when Lambert Spawn was founded as America’s oldest independent spawn company. But; with the most modern spawn factory in the world.

Premium quality products and customer service are two important pillars of Lambert Spawn. Therefor Lambert Spawn will keep investing in both of these areas to bring even more additional service to their partners worldwide. Consultation and guidance in combination with premium quality spawn to reach the best yields will be the key.

For more information feel free to visit their website.
And you can also follow their Facebookpage.

Family business Mush Comb from Horst celebrates 25th anniversary

1 January 2021 marks the 25th anniversary of the Horst-based company Mush Comb! What better time to shine the spotlight on this successful family-owned business!

Global leader

On New Year’s Day 1996, Jeu Holtermans started his own business - Mush Comb. In repairing and selling second-hand machines, he succeeded in identifying and filling a gap in the market for mushroom culture. In 2004, his 21-year-old son Bob joined the family business team, and in 2007 they decided to reinvent and refocus the business. Since then, the company has focused on producing new and innovative cutting-edge machines. The new business strategy demanded a major investment, but the benefits soon became apparent. The company’s revenues have quadrupled since 2007, and the family business has developed into a world leader in supplying innovative high-quality machines.

Please read their full article here.

We congratulate Mush Comb and wish them lots of succesful and innovating years to come!

Straw, horse manure and hay are the raw materials that have the most influence on the mushroom production process. Its structure affects the composting process. Its fibers (i.e. celluloses, hemicelluloses and lignin) are important carbon sources. The mycelium needs hemicelluloses and lignin for growth during the spawn run and case run phases (vegetative phase). In the so-called generative phase, from pin outgrow to mature mushrooms, celluloses and hemicelluloses are needed. Mushroom substrate has to undergo certain process steps. For the phase I composting process these are the so-called biological and chemical steps. During the phase II process the conversion of ammonia and the creation of selectivity make up the next step. During the phase III composting process the final step is mycelium development. Straw (or horse manure, hay) has a big impact on all these process steps.

Please read the full article on the website of ChampFood here

Article: by Geert Lemmers Composting Consultancy B.V.
Source: ChampFood

Adidas has announced it’s launching a line of sneakers made from mushroom-based leather.

As part of a 2021 sustainability initiative from Europe’s largest sportswear manufacturer, the new Stan Smiths will be entirely vegan, and created using mycelium: that is, the vegetative part of fungi that produces mushrooms.

On December 28, the German multinational announced that “adidas seeks to break new ground: Together with partners, adidas is developing a new material, a purely biological leather alternative made from mycelium, and will use it for the very first time in the creation of footwear.”

This isn’t the company’s first foray into vegan footwear. In 2020, Adidas launched plant-based versions of several classic sneakers, which quickly became bestsellers. Now it’s completely renounced the use of fur in all products, and it’s working with partners on other sustainability projects that include recycling cotton and developing a “particularly climate-friendly running shoe” as part of a drive that will see 60% of all Adidas products in 2021 being made with sustainable materials.

Please read the full article here.

Source: Good News Network

The Mushroom Company is one of North America's largest mushroom processors. Over the last 90 years it has built a reputation for high-quality, innovative products and superior dedicated customer service. The Mushroom Company's product capabilities range from individually quick-frozen (IQF) to canning, blanching, blending, and roasting mushrooms and other vegetables. It primarily serves the food service and industrial markets, where its mushrooms end up on pizzas, in soups, and on various quick and casual-service restaurant menus.

"We are excited to join the South Mill Champs family," said Dennis Newhard, President of The Mushroom Company. "Over the last few years, SMC has shown exceptional leadership in innovation and growth in the mushroom industry. We look forward to supporting and further expanding SMC's capabilities and product innovation. Our industry is experiencing strong growth as consumers continue to recognize the significant health and environmental benefits of mushrooms. We believe the future is bright and this combination gives us the resources to continue to be an industry leader."

Please read the full article here.

Source: South Mill Champs

Recipe for a new year, keep the buttons up!

March 2020. Everything looks good and I have got my pocket full of tickets. Flights all over Europe and many visits to make.
But a week later everything looked different and still does.
Corona is sweeping over the world and people do not know what to do. Traveling has come to a stand still and most of the consulting is done over the phone.
But does it have good sides too?
Fortunately, so. It is a proven fact that corona has less chance to infect you if you are in a good state of mind in a fit body. Or at least the symptoms are less severe.
For most people in this modern world that is a bit of a problem. A great deal of mankind has a problem with being too heavy and is suffering from obesitas.
And just this morning I heard that loosing 5% of bodyweight (if you are too heavy) means already a big boost to your immune system.
So, go outside, exercise and eat good food.
And it is a proven fact that mushrooms exactly fit into that diet.
Mushrooms are low in fat, rich in vitamins (vitamin B and D even more in brown Agaricus)and they are loaded with complex carbo hydrates.
A good reason to eat mushrooms and use it as advertising. Countries as Spain and Hungary are already doing this on a large scale and I am sure many other countries do the same.
But it can be a lot more. If I just look at Holland, the consumption is still very low and that can only be changed if we as growers tell about the health aspects of our product.
And of course, the taste is good.
To give an example I would like to share a recipe with you.

Mushroom Gougère. (serves 6)
Melt 75 grams of butter in a pot.
Add 2,25 dl of water and bring to the boil.
Add 100 grams of wholemeal flower at once and mix well.
Mix till the dough lets go of the side of the pot.
Let cool a bit and then mix in 3 eggs, one by one.
If the dough is smooth, mix in 75 grams of grated cheddar cheese.
Put the dough into an oven dish. Leave the middle open. Put the dough only on the outside rim.

Then put some oil in a skillet and fry 2 chopped onions.
Add 2 cloves of chopped garlic and I kilo of sliced mushrooms.
Add one spoon of wholemeal flower and 2 dl of vegetable broth.
Bring to the boil for 3 minutes till the mix thickens.
Then add 200 grams of chopped walnuts and 2 spoons of chopped parsley.
Ad pepper and salt to your liking.
Put this mix in the middle of the dough in the oven dish
Cook this in the oven at 200° for 40 to 45 minutes.
Enjoy.

If you share this recipe with your clients you might sell a lot more mushrooms and create a healthy and good world.

Best wishes for 2021 and stay healthy.

Henk van Gerwen