Armagh-based Button Farm Mushrooms is less than two years old, yet its owners have been involved in the mushroom industry for much longer. David McKew, who formed the business along with his brother Jonathan, explains more.
For over 40 years, the McKew family had been involved in the production of mushroom compost for growers throughout the UK and Ireland. But less than two years ago, they decided to change tact and become mushroom growers themselves. They invested over £1.5 million in a new high-tech mushroom processing and packing facility on the outskirts of Markethill and are now producing approximately 18,000kg of mushrooms per week for the UK and Irish markets.
“You could say that we’re third generation mushroom growers,” David says.
“Our grandfather grew mushrooms up to about 20 years ago, and Johnny and I used to give him a hand. That’s where our interest in mushroom growing came from. Up until two years ago, however, our main line of business was compost production. This business was run by our father Thomas McKew.”
The state-of-the-art mushroom and packing facility was built from scratch on a two-acre site. A loan was secured from the Growth Loan Fund to help finance the ambitious project which led to creation of four new jobs, bringing the total to 18. The plant comprises six mushroom growing rooms and a modern mushroom processing and packing facility.
“We have noticed a real shift in the UK and Irish mushroom industry, with an increased demand for high quality produce, and have expanded the business accordingly,” David says.
“We have invested in the latest technology, being the first company in the UK to use a harvesting machine to pick the mushrooms. The picker has sped up our processing time, enabling us to double the amount of mushrooms picked to 70kg an hour. We also have a 99kw wood pellet boiler which has helped to reduce our fuel bill. We currently supply our mushrooms to Walsh Mushrooms in Evesham in the UK and Gilfresh Produce in Loughgall, Co. Armagh, with future plans to sell to multinationals and smaller retailers. We are also focused on developing our current produce and bringing new products to the market.”
He continues: “We are one of a handful of mushroom growers in Northern Ireland to be able to grow and pack mushrooms under the same roof. And I don’t know of many other mushroom growers who have built such a facility from scratch in the last 20 years.”
The quality, freshness and taste of Button Farm Mushrooms is second to none. The McKew’s believe that using the best quality raw materials produces the finest mushrooms possible. Button Farm Mushrooms have full traceability from straw bale to the shop shelf. The mushrooms are GMO-free, ultra-healthy and nutritious. Jonathan and David’s sister, Margaret, was responsible for coming up with the company’s catchy name.
White closed cup mushrooms are the only variety grown on the farm at present. Closed cup or button mushrooms are the most popular mushroom variety, having creamy white caps with pink gills which darken to beige as they grow. They can be served raw or cooked. Raw closed cup can be included in salads, while cooked mushrooms can be included in a wide variety of dishes such as omelettes, pasta sauces, quiches, soups and stews.
Unlike many of their counterparts south of the border, Button Farm Mushrooms haven’t been adversely affected by Brexit. Within a matter of weeks of last June’s vote, three major producers in the Republic of Ireland and 120 jobs were lost due to the collapse in Sterling, while there are fears for another 3,000 jobs in the industry.
“Because we’re selling in Sterling, it hasn’t been as bad for us. The weaker Sterling has, however, resulted in us having to pay more for our compost which we buy from Coenegrachts Substraat in Belguim.”
Button Farm Mushrooms’ dedicated and passionate team adhere to exceptional quality standards in order to deliver best-in-class products. The family-run business has made a big impression in its short history and is already recognised as one of Northern Ireland’s leading mushroom producers.
Button Farm Mushrooms
45 Ratarnet Road,
Collone,
Co. Armagh.BT60 ILJ
Telephone: 077 461 20440
Email: sales @buttonfarmmushrooms.co.uk
Web: www.buttonfarmmushrooms.co.uk
