At Costa, every mushroom counts 

We were recently invited to see the operations at their Casuarina farm and were absolutely blown away by the sheer size of their facility, the care they place in delivering a top-quality product to the end customer (the mushrooms are all hand-harvested!) and how much emphasis is placed on safety and quality. 

Mushrooms are a delicate crop that require a finely balanced environment to thrive. At the Costa Casuarina farm, cutting-edge technology works hand-in-hand with skilled growers to create the perfect growing conditions. Temperature, humidity, and airflow are carefully monitored around the clock 365 days a year, ensuring that each mushroom reaches the ideal size, texture, and taste before it is hand-picked.

The farm also embraces sustainable practices, recycling organic materials and using innovative water and energy management systems to reduce environmental impact. This dedication to sustainability not only benefits the planet but also ensures a cleaner, more natural product for consumers.

Setting Costa apart from their competitors, their composting process is the foundation of their mushroom cultivation and uses 100% recycled water and by-products from primary agricultural farming. The compost is made by a dedicated team at Nambeelup, before being freighted weekly to the Casuarina site and loaded into tunnels for pasteurisation, ensuring food safety. 

Costa Group have their own spawn laboratory based in Mernda, VIC, where spawn (the ‘seeds’ of the mushroom world) is produced with exclusive genetics. Compost inoculation (the process which introduces the mushroom spawn or ‘seeds’ into a suitable growing space) occurs using strict high-care hygiene protocols and the latest technology, ensuring a strong mushroom root system, creating an ideal environment for mushroom growth.

Mushrooms grow quickly, doubling in size every 24 hours. Costa’s growing teams closely monitor crops to ensure the right products are available to their network of customers. To maximise quality and shelf life, every single mushroom is hand-picked directly into the final pack using a single-touch approach. Mushrooms are harvested and packaged in under 60 minutes, ensuring they are delivered fresh and fast. It’s clear to see that for Costa, it’s about more than just producing mushrooms – it’s about delivering a wholesome, nutritious product that families can trust.

Interim State Manager WA Sarah Moses puts it best: “Every mushroom that leaves our Casuarina farm represents the care and dedication of our team. We take great pride in knowing that our hard work is providing fresh, nutritious produce to the WA population.”

Mushrooms are known for adding a delicious flavour to dishes and side dishes, but they also pack a powerful nutrition punch. In fact, they are often touted as a superfood, and for good reason. Mushrooms have many health benefits, they are low in calories, cholesterol and sodium and are a good source of vitamins and minerals, making them a great addition to any diet.

From the farm floor to the family table, Costa Mushrooms continues to grow with one goal in mind – nourishing Australians with a product that is as fresh as it is flavourful.