Maritime Gourmet Mushrooms of Herring Cove, Nova Scotia, has received a $200,000 loan from the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency to meet the growing demand for its exotic varieties of mushrooms.

The company was established in 2014 and began selling in 2015.  It produces 11 types of fresh mushrooms, which are sold in farmers’ markets, restaurants and specialty retailers throughout Atlantic Canada.

The loan will double the company’s production capacity, decrease costs, and provide North American farmers with a reasonably priced domestic version of mushroom substrate (a wood-based nutrient block that indoor mushrooms are grown in).

“Expanding our facility and adding new automated equipment supports our passion for sustainable and innovative farming practices,” said company president Jason Giffin in a statement.

The funding is provided through the federal government’s Regional Economic Growth through Innovation program.

Disclosure: ACOA is a client of Entrevestor.