I think we all know the old saying about being treated like a mushroom, being kept in the dark and covered in crap. Such is the lot we are led to believe of the lowly mushroom. However, there are two young entrepreneurs who say we have got it all wrong when it comes to mushrooms.
University of California, Berkeley business school graduates Nikhil Arora and Alex Velez say that mushrooms are easy to grow, have no need to be hidden in the dark and are a profitable, sustainable business opportunity.
The pair started Back to the Roots Ventures in 2009 to grow mushrooms using discarded coffee grounds. According to BTTR Ventures’ website, the duo got the idea of growing gourmet mushrooms with used coffee grounds from a school lecture. While still in school, they honed their mushroom-growing art in a bucket in Velex’s fraternity kitchen. Once they had successfully grown a batch, they knew where their future lay. Arora is quoted as having said they loved “creating a business out of waste streams."
BTTR gets most of its used coffee grounds from Peet’s Coffee and Tea. Once BTTR has used the grounds to nourish its mushrooms, they donate the grounds to local families, schools and communities. These coffee grounds would have otherwise merely been thrown away.
With a $5,000 grant from the UC Berkeley Chancellor for social innovation along with some interest from Whole Foods, Chez Panisse and Berkeley chef Alice Waters, BTTR Ventures was quickly up and growing gourmet mushrooms in a 2,500-square foot warehouse and selling mushroom growing kits on its own website, at Whole Foods, and on Amazon. The kit averages five out of five stars on its Amazon reviews.
Arora and Velez take their duties as urban mushroom farmers seriously and are heavily dedicated to giving back to their community. In 2011, BTTR estimates it will “collect, divert and reuse one million pounds of coffee grounds.” Additionally, BTTR says it will “help families grow over 250,000 pounds of fresh food at home” this year, while at the same time, donate premium soil amendment to 10 urban school and community gardens.
To learn more about Nikhil Arora, Alex Velez and BTTR Ventures visit:
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