Tucked away on a Hampshire farm, Chris Maynard and Jon Wright have turned a shared fascination of fungi into a thriving business. Myndful Mushrooms cultivate functional varieties - supplying local markets, restaurants and wellness enthusiasts.
'It was only about 10 years ago that I first noticed mushrooms on a walk in Crab Woods, Winchester,' recalls Chris. 'The forest floor was carpeted with all the mushrooms. I started taking photos, and fungi quickly became my favourite subject matter.'
In 2022, Chris met Jon through a mutual friend and discovered that not only did they live in the same village, but they also shared an affinity for fungi. 'Jon wanted to start a farm, and I'd already completed a cultivation course and grown mushrooms. It all happened very quickly. We shared the same values and goals - and we knew mushrooms were about to get incredibly popular.'
And the pair were spot on; the UK's functional mushroom market is already booming. Valued at around $1.85 billion in 2024, it's forecast to more than double by 2032 - a healthy annual growth rate of over 11%. The British Isles are home to an estimated 15,000 species of fungi and wild mushrooms, according to the British Mycological Society, and approximately 2,700 species can be found within the New Forest alone – a stronghold for many rare and endangered species and a nationally important area for fungi, according to The New Forest National Park Authority.
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