A group of mushrooms growing out of the ground

Vancouver company uses mushroom roots to tackle global protein demand

A Vancouver-based company is betting on mushroom mycelium as a sustainable protein source, aiming to reduce the environmental impact of traditional meat production.

Inder Nirwan and Pippa Norman report for The Tyee.

In short:

Maia Farms developed a mycelium-based protein that takes just seven days to produce and emits 84% less carbon dioxide than chicken.
The company is partnering with food manufacturers to incorporate the protein into various foods, with products appearing at major retailers like Costco.
Plans include expanding globally by 2030, with facilities on five continents to meet both Earth’s growing protein needs and space exploration demands.

Key quote:

“It’s arguably the most efficient form of agriculture that will ever exist.”

— Gavin Schneider, Maia Farms founder

Why this matters:

With global meat demand rising, sustainable protein alternatives like mycelium could help mitigate the environmental impacts of meat production, including greenhouse gas emissions and deforestation.

thetyee.ca

Vancouver company uses mushroom roots to tackle global protein demand

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