Phillips Mushroom Farms to promote organics at Southern Exposure
Phillips Mushroom Farms to promote organics at Southern Exposure
“There is considerably more interest in organic mushrooms today, and sales continue to grow,” Kevin Donovan, national sales manager for Phillips Mushroom Farms in Kennett Square, PA, told The Produce News. “We’ll therefore be promoting them again strongly at our booth, number 205, at the Southern Exposure expo.”
He noted that organic sales’ increases are substantial, and that the company’s customers are more interested than ever in promoting and selling organics because they’re seeing such great growth and demand in this segment of produce.
Phillips Mushroom’s Organic Baby Bella Mushrooms.“We at Phillips Mushroom Farms are continuing to grow our organic line to meet this great demand,” said Donovan. “At one time it was just a trend, but today’s consumers have learned about the health aspects of organic foods.”
The company also does a major conventional line of mushrooms, and it continues to increase its production along with the growing demand due primarily to increased knowledge of the health and nutritional value, as well as the media attention on the benefits of swapping half of meat protein with mushrooms in recipes.
At the same time, Donovan said, organics are becoming more prevalent among consumers.
“The organic consumer today is between 30 and 50 years old, and they’re not only buying organics to feed their families,” he pointed out. “They have also become more educated about eating foods that aren’t chemically treated. Eating organically is no longer a trend — it’s a major industry change and one that is here to stay.”
He also suggested another reason for the growing attention and demand for organics. The U.S. Department of Agriculture National Organic Standards Board, or NOSB, is doing an outstanding job of helping to spread the organic word.
“The agency is using its message as a good government seal of approval,” said Donovan. “The certification process is done by private agencies that are monitored by NOSB. They are trained in implementing the standards, and things move very smoothly and accurately through this process.”
Phillips Mushroom Farms has maintained membership with the Southeast Produce Council since it began, and it has exhibited at every show since the first one.
“We like the way the council is running,” said Donovan. “It’s a great organization and the show offers us a great opportunity to connect with customers.
“I’ll play in the Tom Page Golf Classic and other extracurricular activities at the Southern Exposure event,” he continued. “These are great opportunities that keep the show interesting and fun. They’re a nice diversion from work.”
