National Mushroom Month
September 1 - September 30
About National Mushroom Month
National Mushroom Month is observed throughout September in the United States, celebrating one of the world’s most versatile and nutritious foods. Established under the Mushroom Promotion, Research and Consumer Information Act of 1990, it is a month-long campaign to raise awareness of the culinary, nutritional, and agricultural significance of mushrooms and to encourage Americans to include more of them in their diets.
How to Celebrate National Mushroom Month
September is the perfect time to explore the extraordinary range of mushrooms available in markets and the wild:
- Try a new variety – Most people eat button mushrooms, but September is the time to branch out. Try cremini, portobello, shiitake, oyster, chanterelle, lion’s mane, or king oyster mushrooms, each of which has its own distinct flavour and texture.
- Cook a mushroom-focused dish – Mushroom risotto, wild mushroom pasta, stuffed portobello mushrooms, or a Japanese mushroom hotpot are all excellent showcases for the ingredient’s depth of flavour.
- Visit the Ohio Pawpaw Festival or a mushroom harvest event – September sees mushroom festivals and harvest events at farms and parks across the eastern United States. Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, the self-declared Mushroom Capital of the World, hosts its annual Mushroom Festival in September.
- Learn about foraging – Wild mushroom foraging is a centuries-old skill experiencing a major revival. Many parks and nature centres offer guided foraging walks in September. Never forage without expert guidance, as some wild mushrooms are extremely toxic.
- Explore the health benefits – Mushrooms are the only non-animal source of vitamin D, a nutrient many people are deficient in. Research the specific health properties of different mushroom varieties, from the immune-supporting beta-glucans in shiitake to the cognitive benefits being studied in lion’s mane.
- Support a local mushroom farm – Many small-scale mushroom cultivators sell at farmers’ markets or via community supported agriculture (CSA) boxes. Buying local supports artisan producers and guarantees the freshest possible product.
- Cook for someone new to mushrooms – Introduce a mushroom sceptic to the ingredient by cooking a dish where the mushrooms are the star, prepared in a way that showcases their best qualities: well seasoned, properly cooked, and not waterlogged.
- Read about mycology – Merlin Sheldrake’s “Entangled Life” (2020) is a revelatory exploration of fungal biology and the profound role mushrooms play in ecosystems worldwide.
What is National Mushroom Month?
National Mushroom Month is a US awareness and promotion campaign running throughout September, established to encourage greater consumption and appreciation of mushrooms. It is organised by the Mushroom Council, an industry promotion organisation established under the 1990 Act, which conducts consumer research, develops marketing campaigns, and promotes mushroom nutrition to food professionals and the public.
When is National Mushroom Month?
National Mushroom Month runs from Tuesday, 1 September to Wednesday, 30 September 2026. It is a fixed annual observance each September in the United States.
The History of National Mushroom Month
National Mushroom Month has its origins in the Mushroom Promotion, Research and Consumer Information Act of 1990, signed into law by President George H.W. Bush on 28 November 1990. The Act established the Mushroom Council and authorised a mandatory assessment on domestic mushroom producers, creating a fund for research and promotion activities. The formal designation of September as National Mushroom Month took effect in 1993, following early proclamations from the US Secretary of Agriculture and the Governor of Pennsylvania beginning in 1992.
The association with September was natural: Kennett Square in Chester County, Pennsylvania, is the self-proclaimed Mushroom Capital of the World, producing approximately 60% of all mushrooms grown in the United States. The community’s annual Mushroom Festival, held during the second week of September, had been a significant local event for years before it gained national prominence through the establishment of National Mushroom Month.
Mushroom cultivation in the United States has a history dating to the late 19th century, when French immigrants introduced commercial growing techniques to the Philadelphia area. The climate and soil conditions of Chester County proved ideal, and the industry grew rapidly. Today, US mushroom production is valued at approximately USD 1.23 billion annually.
Fun Facts About National Mushroom Month
- The United States produces approximately 900 million pounds of mushrooms annually, worth approximately USD 1.23 billion, with Pennsylvania accounting for the largest share.
- Mushrooms are the only non-animal food source of vitamin D, which they produce when exposed to sunlight, just as humans do.
- The largest living organism on Earth is a honey fungus (Armillaria) in Oregon’s Malheur National Forest, estimated to be approximately 2,385 years old and covering about 9.6 square kilometres.
- Kennett Square in Chester County, Pennsylvania, produces approximately 60% of all mushrooms grown in the United States.
- Shiitake mushrooms, originally cultivated in China and Japan, have been used in East Asian cuisine and medicine for over 1,000 years and are now the second most widely cultivated mushroom in the world after the button mushroom.
- Research into lion’s mane mushroom (Hericium erinaceus) has shown promising early results in studies examining its potential neuroprotective properties.
Why National Mushroom Month Matters
Mushrooms deserve far more attention than they typically receive on the American plate. They are low in calories, fat-free, cholesterol-free, gluten-free, and rich in fibre, vitamins, and minerals. As plant-based and flexitarian diets become more popular, mushrooms are increasingly recognised as a remarkable substitute for meat in terms of texture and umami depth. National Americana Month, also in September, celebrates another dimension of American agricultural and cultural heritage, making September a rich month for exploring the food traditions that have shaped the United States.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is National Mushroom Month?
National Mushroom Month is a US September observance, established under the Mushroom Promotion, Research and Consumer Information Act of 1990, promoting the culinary, nutritional, and agricultural significance of mushrooms.
When is National Mushroom Month in 2026?
National Mushroom Month runs from Tuesday, 1 September to Wednesday, 30 September 2026.
Where is the Mushroom Capital of the World?
Kennett Square in Chester County, Pennsylvania, claims the title of Mushroom Capital of the World. The area produces approximately 60% of all mushrooms grown in the United States and hosts the annual Mushroom Festival every September.
Spread the Word
Share your mushroom recipes, foraging finds, and culinary experiments throughout September with the hashtags #NationalMushroomMonth and #NationalMushroomMonth2026. Introduce someone to a mushroom variety they’ve never tried and help spread the word about one of the most underrated ingredients in the American kitchen.
Related Awareness Days
- National Americana Month – Also in September, this observance celebrates American cultural heritage, including the regional food traditions that mushrooms have long been part of.
- National Pawpaw Day – In September, this day for North America’s forgotten native fruit shares National Mushroom Month’s mission of reconnecting people with overlooked American food heritage.
- National Rice Month – Running throughout September, this observance celebrates another staple food with deep American agricultural roots.
Links
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