Spore Store sells and grows mushrooms online as well as at Medina Farmers Market.
MEDINA (Ohio) — Meet Leland Gordon the owner of Spore Store. He is hard at work packing substrates for his crop.
Leland is a mushroom farmer.
He tells us that lion’s hair, oyster mushrooms, and cordyceps are the most common.
Gordon has been fascinated by fungi since his childhood.
He says, “I spent most of my childhood hunting for mushrooms and morels with my dad and grandfather.”
After leaving behind his culinary career, he immersed in the mushroom world and transformed his passion into agribusiness.
He explained that as a chef he couldn’t find many fresh mushrooms. It was important for me to have access to fresh mushrooms, and to share them with the public.
The health benefits of these fungi go beyond the food they provide. Leland produces mushroom extracts and has developed a caffeine free mushroom coffee. Soon, they will be making mushroom gummies.
He said that he felt it was part of his job to educate the public. My background as a cook is very helpful, and I am often asked about cooking recipes. But, I also walk them through any questions they have about mushrooms.
The mushroom expert has found his niche. He is happy to tend his crop, from the spores all the way through to storage.
You have to be able to communicate well, be polite and enjoy yourself.
Leland could be described as a “fun guy.” His products can be found online at thesporestore.company.siteOn FacebookYou can also buy his mushrooms at Boutros Brothers Produce in Cleveland’s West Side Market starting on May 1. Boutros Brothers Produce in Cleveland’s West Side Market is also selling the mushrooms.