What we do
Through the use of cutting-edge technology, including a 40-foot autoclave for sterilization and state of the art hammer mills for powder production, Phi Factor aims to demonstrate the feasibility of this innovative approach to the bio-manufacturing of all types of mushroom products. With the results of this project, we hope to provide a foundation for the wider adoption of organic farming practices and sustainable bio manufacturing means for mycelial cultivation, while producing some of the highest quality full spectrum extract available.
Full Spectrum powdered products have been establishing themselves in the global health market as a highly desirable nutraceutical product, but in addition to its benefits as a suppliment, full spectrum powder has been shown to have a number of potential benefits for overall health. Studies have indicated that the beta-glucans and erinacines present in lions mane powder, for example, may have antibacterial properties, and may be able to enhance overall health and immunity.
By successfully implementing this project, we aim to establish a new north american standard for full spectrum mushroom production that is both economically and environmentally sustainable.
Who is buying Full Spectrum Products?
We can clearly see a widespread shift of consumer habits towards a more healthy and wholesome lifestyle.
The demand for cognitive enhancing organic natural products is rising in North America and Europe. Consumers are getting more and more educated about the benefits of Fungi and the great supplement choice they can offer for not only the elderly, but also the active and health aware individual. Social media is filled with health influencers expanding awareness and advertising the use of mushrooms, not only as a beneficial part of a balanced diet, but also a powerful supplement to increase brain functionality and general cognitive health. With disorders such as Alzheimer's disease, Attention deficit disorder, Early onset dementia, Epilepsy-related cognitive dysfunction and others becoming more commonplace, many believe Fungi can offer a great prevention and supplementation option.
The global mushroom market size was valued at USD 50.3 billion in 2021 and is expected to expand at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.7% from 2022 to 2030. The increasing vegan population demanding a protein-rich diet around the globe is expected to be a key driver for the market over the forecast period. Mushrooms are considered a superfood owing to their nutritional contents. Mushrooms are packed with four key nutrients namely selenium, vitamin D, glutathione, and ergothioneine. These nutrients help mitigate oxidative stress and prevent or decrease the risk of chronic conditions such as cancer, heart disease, and dementia. Moreover, it offers a strong natural umami flavor, allowing consumers to reduce salt proportion in mushroom meals by 30-40%, thereby benefitting health.
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The U.S. was the second-largest producer accounting for approximately 375 million kg in the year 2019. The production in the country is declining since 2017 and has declined by 11% from 2017 to 2019. Whereas the demand from end-users is growing, which has resulted in an increase in the prices by 6% in 2017-18 and by 3% in 2018-19. The U.S. government is continuously increasing import duties, which is also contributing to the higher prices of mushrooms. Mushroom is one of the protein-rich vegan sources as it offers nearly 3.3 g of protein per 100 g of serving. Meat has been a key source of protein in the western diet; thus, the population adopting a vegan diet is anticipated to prefer protein-rich organic products to fulfill their daily protein requirements.
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Consumers are increasingly becoming label-conscious and seeking products made from natural ingredients. Clean label cosmetic products made from plant extracts, without the use of synthetic ingredients, are gaining considerable traction in the market. Thus, personal care & beauty product manufacturers are increasingly using botanical ingredients in cosmetic formulations which are expected to have a positive impact on the demand. Mushrooms have a limited shelf life ranging from one to three days due to the high water content in them. Thus, post-harvest storage and transportation are a crucial part of successful cultivation.
Furthermore, the outbreak of COVID-19 has led to the imposition of lockdowns to contain the spread of the disease. In the initial months of the pandemic, the logistics or goods transportation industry also faced a slowdown due to the unavailability of personnel and uncertainty generated due to the pandemic. This led to significant losses to growers, as mushrooms have a limited shelf life. Therefore, the limited shelf life of mushrooms is anticipated to restrain the market growth
The button mushroom product type segment dominated the market and accounted for the largest volume share of 61.8% in 2021.
The segment is expected to witness a revenue-based CAGR of 8.9% over the forecast period. They are widely cultivated across the world due to their numerous nutritional benefits and lower incubation time due to use of tissue culture and proper cultivation. Furthermore, their lower cost as compared to their counterparts is expected to drive the market over the forecast period. The shiitake product type is popular globally, mainly due to its rich savory taste and diverse health benefits. These mushrooms can be consumed in fresh or processed forms such as dried form; although dried shiitake mushrooms are more popular due to their umami flavor.
Shiitake mushrooms have been a part of traditional medicines in countries such as Japan, China, and South Korea, as their consumption boosts health and longevity, along with improved blood circulation. The oyster type is expected to witness the highest revenue-based CAGR of 11.3% over the forecast period. They are consumed in various cuisines and are highly popular in China, Japan, Korea and Vancouver for cooking due to their delicate texture and mild-savory flavor. Moreover, oysters also have an active compound known as benzaldehyde, which reduces bacterial levels in the body and thus proves to be a natural anti-bacterial which is driving the demand from pharmaceutical applications.
Background & Need
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We provide creative solutions to educate and inspire future
technology, using a regenerative model for agriculture that provides food, medicine and energy with
economic viability.
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A collaborative agricultural technology project of inventor Paul Harris and serial entrepreneur
Brent Stankowski, focused on innovative farming methods and techniques. As an incubator for carbon
neutral agricultural practices, Phi Factor is focused on creating agricultural methods that are beyond
sustainable from small to large scale farming operations. We like to call it regenerative agriculture. The
primary focus for several of these technologies will be based on fungi and its ability to consume biomass,
remediate the environment and provide food in a controlled manner.
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It is Phi Factors mission to become the leading provider of sustainable and forward thinking
technological solutions to the problems facing our environment and infrastructure.
We believe that existent in nature is everything we need to solve the current problems of climate
change and soil depletion that face the world today, and taking a holistic yet infrastructure-based
approach will allow us to use our collective expertise and experience to create a unique and forward
thinking technological development model.
Lions mane mushrooms (Hericium Erinaceus) have been gaining increasing attention in recent years
due to their unique composition of bioactive compounds and potential health benefits. However, the
cultivation of lions mane mushrooms has been limited by the high cost of substrate materials and the
lack of suitable growing environments. In light of this, Phi Factor Farms is proposing an innovative
approach to the cultivation of lions mane mushrooms, through the use of organic millet grown in-house as
a substrate.
Millet is a versatile and sustainable grain crop that is widely grown in many regions, including
British Columbia. It has a number of properties that make it well suited as a substrate for lions mane
cultivation, including its excellent flavor profile, nutrient content, and suitability for growing in a variety of
environments. By incorporating millet as a substrate, Phi Factor Farms aims to not only reduce the
cost of mushroom cultivation, but also to improve its environmental sustainability.
The solution to the climate crisis we face today has been right under our feet the whole time; it's in the
soil. Given the current initiatives to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions and lowering CO2, Phi Factor
Farms aims to implement conscious scientific methods for improving farming techniques from small to
large-scale farms. Phi Factor Farms has acquired a 26 acre parcel of land with a 10,000 sq ft
warehouse in the Okanagan valley near Armstrong, BC.
This property was the former site of the OK Hatchery, sold when the company out grew the property.
Given that the original property was located in an area that lacked irrigation and had a well-used
warehouse that was in desperate need of repair, the property sat vacant for several years, as no one
was able to find a viable use for the land.
Due to the lack of irrigation it was unsuitable for an orchard or vineyard and although there is a
considerable lack of commercial warehousing in the area, nobody was able to utilize the warehouse due
to the fact that the parcel was zoned agricultural and was surrounded by residential housing making it
impractical for light industrial use.
Phi Factor saw this unproductive piece of land and dilapidated warehouse as the perfect starting point
to showcase its model for sustainability. By reclaiming and restoring the building we saved it
from demolition, and given the unproductive nature of the land Phi Factor saw the field as the ultimate
challenge to transform it into a productive healthy crop, yielding nutrient dense food with minimal need
for water.
For decades, the modern food and agriculture industry has mostly been operating through
monocultures, large farmlands planted with only one crop. The priority has been placed on producing a
high yield or harvest without regard to the health of the resources required to produce it. With growing
demands for ag businesses big and small to address climate change and think holistically about the
ecosystems and communities they serve, many more eco-friendly farming practices such as
regenerative agriculture have begun growing in popularity.
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Plants and carbon live in constant dialogue. During photosynthesis, plants use solar energy to extract
carbohydrate molecules, or sugar, from carbon dioxide.
Those carbon-based sugars are extruded from the plant’s roots, feeding bacteria and fungi in the nearby
soil. In turn, these microorganisms symbiotically transform soil minerals into nutrients that feed plants
and help plants fight disease and pest pressure.
During this exchange, the sugars that get consumed by soil bacteria and fungi are converted into more
stable materials that trap carbon in the soil for decades, even centuries. Healthier soil truly means a
healthier planet.
We consider fungi as the basis for our sustainable agricultural system. We grow them to harvest the
fruiting bodies for food but we also use them to extend the root systems of our field crops, trees, garden
and other plants, which helps them be more drought tolerant. The mycelium also provides a mutually
beneficial symbiotic relationship with trees and other plants so they are healthier and more resilient.
In our inaugural year, we laid the foundation for our company's success. We conducted
extensive research on mushroom cultivation, extraction techniques, and market demand. This allowed
us to identify the most potent and sought- after mushroom species for our full spectrum powder. We
established partnerships with Mushroom consulting INC who shared our commitment to sustainable
and ethical practices.
We focused on building a concept for a sate of the art facility to produce incredible full spectrum
mushroom powder. Our efforts included workshops, and the build out of a mushroom lab to start
working on the genetic material.
Building on our initial success, our second year was marked by substantial growth and expansion.
We started the build out of our operations at McLeod Road in Spallumcheen to meet our production
capacity as well as to meet the increasing demand for full spectrum mushroom powder.
With the support of our dedicated team, we optimized our production processes, enhancing
efficiency without compromising quality.
Throughout our two-year history, we remained committed to sustainability and environmental
stewardship. We minimized waste, utilized eco-friendly packaging materials, and supported initiatives
that promote sustainable mushroom farming practices.
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Looking Ahead: As we reflect on our two-year journey, we are excited about the future prospects for
our full spectrum powder production company. With a solid foundation, refined practices, and a
reputation for excellence, we are poised for continued growth and expansion. We will continue to
innovate, exploring new mushroom species and refining our growth and extraction methods to bring
even more benefits to our customers.
We remain committed to our mission of promoting wellness and vitality through the power of
mushrooms. By staying at the forefront of industry advancements, collaborating with experts, and
prioritizing customer satisfaction, we are confident that our full spectrum mushroom powder will be a
trusted and sought-after product for individuals and companies seeking a natural and holistic approach
to their well-being.
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