Completion of Phillips Mushroom Farms Warwick, MD facility will help the company meet growing demand
Completion of Phillips Mushroom Farms Warwick, MD facility will help the company meet growing demand
Kevin Donovan, national sales manager for Phillips Mushroom Farms in Kennett Square, PA, told The Produce News that he is eagerly anticipating another successful Southern Exposure event in 2016. The company will exhibit at booth No. 406.
“We continue to feature our organic line of mushrooms,” said Donovan. “Demand has intensified in recent years, and we are increasing production to keep up with demand.”
Phillips Mushroom Farms has produced certified organic mushrooms for over 10 years. Of the approximate eight organic varieties, whites and baby bellas, followed by portabellos, continue to be the strongest in sales. Its organic line also includes shiitake, pom pom, royal trumpet, beech and maitake mushrooms.
Phillips Mushroom’s Organic White Mushrooms.“As the availability of organic mushrooms increases, so does the ability for promotions,” he said. “Trends like ‘The Blend’ and other promotional initiatives put in place by The Mushroom Council are also helping to spur sales. Mushrooms are highly nutritious, and when used to replace a portion of the protein in a recipe the result is better flavor, higher nutrition and less fat.”
He also pointed out that consumers continue to become more educated about the benefits of eating organically and are seeking out more organic options in the food products they buy.
Donovan said that Southern Exposure offers companies and their customers an outstanding opportunity to meet in a casual atmosphere.
“It is a very well organized event that we look forward to every year,” he said. “And it’s in Florida in the winter. What could be better?”
He pointed out that the first expansion of the company’s Warwick, MD, facility is on schedule for completion in March.
“The expansion will enable us to produce an additional two hundred thousand pounds per week,” said Donovan. “Of this total production, about 30 percent will be dedicated to organic mushrooms. This couldn’t come at a better time because mushrooms are extremely short and demand is through the roof. The shortage, and consequent cost, of growing medium is driving prices higher and causing a tighter market. We’ll be happy to have the extra supply from Warwick.”
Phillips Mushroom Farms has been a member of SEPC since it began, and it has exhibited at every Southern Exposure event.
“Besides having the opportunity to meet with customers in a relaxed and casual atmosphere, we’ll also be enjoying the golf tournament, the gala and other events the event provides,” Donovan added.
