Surge Sanctuary is an animal sanctuary based in Mansfield, run under the ambassadorship of activist ‘Earthling Ed’. Ed made a call-out asking for help with potential projects at the sanctuary, one of which being a mushroom ‘growtainer’. I saw this as a great opportunity to get involved in, as I had already set up my shipping containers for growing both mushrooms and microgreens.

I contacted Surge and within a few weeks I had made the deal to do the job just for material costs - my way of showing support to the animals at the sanctuary and to Ed’s restaurant, Unity Diner, where the mushrooms would be served.

Within three days I had set up a fully-functioning ‘growtainer’ and within the first few weeks of operation it was already producing lion’s mane mushrooms. These mushrooms went on to be the start of a new menu item called ‘Lion’s Mane Mushroom Lobster Buns’ at Unity Diner. It was exciting to see how this all came to fruition and the positive impact of the ‘growtainer’.

It’s great to know that I played a part in people having a luxury mushroom option, cooked in a unique and delicious way, as an alternative to eating meat.