The YME Story
Like all good things it started in a garage
The YME story
Yorkshire Mushroom Emporium (YME) was founded in January 2021 by friends from school with a sense of wanting to make a difference in the way food was grown and eaten.
We decided to make 'low tech' mushroom growing our first foray into food production and set up an indoor mushroom farm in one of our mums' garages in Ilkley.
The feedback and success of the first six months gave us the belief that there was a market for fresh gourmet mushrooms, so we looked to expand into a commercial rented space and in March 2022 we moved into a unit just off York Road in Leeds, LS9.
Since then, despite a few bumps in the road we have been able to develop develop the business, increasing the quantity and variety of mushroom species we grow and sell to both businesses and individuals. We've also launched a variety of mushroom growing kits for people to grow mushrooms at home, and started to run educational workshops on mushroom growing and foraging. These offerings are all a part of our wider vision for how we want to make a difference in the world. You can read our full mission statement below.
Our Mission
In the post-war period, huge changes have taken place in the production and consumption of food. A cheap food agenda implemented by the combined forces of government and commercial food retailers has decreased food costs whilst increasing the range of ‘year round’ food available, relying heavily on imports from around the world.
Cheaper food has brought millions out of poverty, but industrial scale farming and globalisation have had some devastating effects. The race to the bottom in the competitive supermarket industry has forced farmers to prioritise reducing overheads and increasing yields over community interest and environmental impact.
Soil degradation has led to a decline in the quality and nutritional value of food and an increased use of chemicals has led to a decline in biodiversity. Communities have steadily lost connection with the production of their food, leading to an over-reliance on ultra-processed foods, increasing the number of people suffering from degenerative diseases.
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At YME we focus on producing high quality, nutritious and delicious produce with an emphasis on growing locally. We collaborate with and champion a movement of local businesses through our mission to reconnect people with their food system to realise the health and community value we all derive from our relationship with food. We strive to combine modern indoor farming methods with traditional agriculture to provide a range of ‘year round’ foods. We look to nature for inspiration, applying ecological principles to our activities to reduce waste and the impact on our environment. We educate, support, and inspire people to join us on the journey to a healthier food system for people and planet