Step into your local Farm Boy and discover our fun, fresh-market experience! Our buyers—experts on all things produce—are up early at the markets, hand-selecting only the best locally- and internationally-grown crops. Carefully curated for peak freshness and flavour, our Produce Department is packed with long-lasting fruits and vegetables we think you’ll love. Whether you’re shopping for weekly staples or seeking a convenient, ready-to-enjoy option, you’ll be inspired by our exceptional selection. For grocery shopping list inspiration and weekly deals, visit our digital flyer!
Planning your next grocery trip? Don’t forget to check out our digital flyer! It’s filled with the freshest deals at excellent value.
Bringing You Closer to the Farm
At Farm Boy, we believe in sourcing good food from good neighbours. That’s why we work with local growers and producers like Holburne Mushroom Farm to bring you the freshest seasonal ingredients. Supporting local isn’t just about great taste—though that’s a big part of it—it’s also about investing in our communities and building a more sustainable food system. Every time you choose local or Canadian-made products, you’re helping reduce food miles and waste, supporting food security efforts, and promoting sustainability. And the best part? You get to enjoy fruits, vegetables, and other foods at their freshest and most flavourful peak.
In this spotlight, we’re proud to feature Holburne Mushroom Farm: a local, family-run business and one of Canada’s top producers of organic oyster and shiitake mushrooms.
“Now more than ever, it’s so important for us as Canadians to come together and support local. We owe it to one another — to our neighbors, our communities, and the small businesses that keep them thriving — to make a conscious effort to choose Canadian, every chance we get.”
~Steven Rotiroti, Part-Owner of Holburne Mushroom Farm
The Holburne Legacy
Located in the quaint village of Queensville, Ontario (just north of Newmarket), Holburne Mushroom Farm produces some of the highest quality organic shiitake and oyster mushrooms in all of Canada. Started by Paulo Furlano and Giovanni Colella in 1980, the farm began as a white mushroom operation. After taking over the business in 2005, Paulo converted the farm to grow delicious shiitake mushrooms. Today, the farm is still run by the Furlano family!
With over 20 years of experience in growing organic shiitakes, Holburne Mushroom Farm also grows top-quality organic oyster mushrooms. Led by the next generation—Nick Furlano, Tonia Herbert, and Steven Rotiroti—they’ve expanded to become one of Canada’s top growers of these varieties.
How They Grow
Holburne Mushroom Farm cultivates their product in four state-of-the-art growing rooms using a combination of new-age technology and years of experience. These rooms create the ideal climate where mushroom colonies can flourish and grow healthy. The farm produces around 25,000 lbs. of shiitakes, 16,000 lbs. of oyster mushrooms, 10,000 lbs. of their gourmet varieties in a single week!
The farm also operates a sister business, F&R Mushroom Farms, which specializes in producing their signature growing substrate. As a key part of their sustainability efforts, this compost facility transforms years of expertise in developing the ideal mushroom-growing formula into a ready-to-use mixture. Made from recycled organic materials, the substrate is sterilized and used both on the farm and by customers running their own mushroom-growing operations.
“I truly believe the culture across all Farm Boy stores is rooted in community. Farm Boy has built a reputation for highlighting and supporting local businesses and farms, and being a part of that has been an incredible experience for us.
Partnering with Farm Boy and seeing our mushrooms on their shelves has given our small family farm a tremendous boost. I often receive emails from their loyal customers sharing how excited they are to see our mushrooms in the stores. Every message like that fills us with pride — a reminder of how far we’ve come and how much we’ve grown, while still staying true to our roots.”
~Steven Rotiroti, Part-Owner of Holburne Mushroom Farm
With a commitment to sustainability, Holburne Mushroom Farm adheres to strict growing and quality standards. Certified Organic, their mushrooms grow in an environment free from chemical pesticides, antibiotics, and synthetic chemicals. Incredibly sustainable to produce, mushrooms need less energy, water, and resources compared to most common crops. The farm can grow an abundance of mushrooms in a very small area—only running on 10 acres of land! All this effort not only produces the best mushrooms possible, but also keeps sustainability at the heart of the business. That’s good food from good neighbours!
Learn more about their growing process here: Our Farm
Nutritious and Delicious
Mushrooms are not only tasty, but they can also provide plenty of wholesome benefits! Naturally low in calories and completely fat-free, they’re packed with nutrients like vitamin D and antioxidants that are believed to support your immune system and overall wellness. Full of rich flavour and easy to cook, mushrooms are an excellent addition to virtually any savoury recipe. They’ll add a touch of earthiness that’ll round out any dish in need of a boost.
Check out Holburne Mushroom Farm’s handy guide on the nutritional benefits of mushrooms!
The Mushrooms
*products are subject to availability and may not always be available at all locations.
Shiitake Mushrooms
Bursting with rich, savoury, and sweet notes, shiitake mushrooms are the ultimate umami boost! With a slightly firm, spongy texture, this variety is perfect for stir-fries and soups, where it tenderizes beautifully while releasing incredible flavour. Known for its ability to soak up seasonings, it’s sure to become a weekly staple in your fridge.
Oyster Mushrooms
This variety has a firm texture and mild flavour that pairs effortlessly with almost any ingredient. What makes oyster mushrooms truly special is their versatility—they absorb seasonings beautifully and are incredibly forgiving to cook, making them nearly impossible to overdo. When caramelized, they develop a naturally sweet, savoury depth that’s perfect for sautéing, roasting, or grilling. You can also add them to soups for extra substance and a touch of earthiness.
Fun Fact: Holburne Mushroom Farm distributes over 1,300,000 pounds of mushrooms every year!
Delicious Ways to Enjoy Mushrooms
Mushrooms on Toast
A staple on the British culinary map, this simple dish of crispy, grilled toast is topped with sautéed mushrooms. Feel free to customize it to your taste by adding onions and garlic to the mix with a touch of fresh parsley!
Vegetarian Stir-Fry
Mushrooms bring a meaty, umami-rich flavour to stir-fry recipes. For maximum flavour, cook your veggies over medium-high to high heat. Use firm to medium-firm tofu—it holds up well during cooking and stirring, while absorbing all the delicious seasonings and juices.
Mushroom Omelette
An excellent dish for any time of day, an omelette is the perfect vehicle for your favourite ingredients. Whether you incorporate mushrooms into your omelette mix or decide to stuff cooked mushrooms within, it will elevate the taste of this classic with rich, earthiness.
Feature Recipe
Who doesn’t love a great taco? At every Farm Boy, you’ll find a delectable variety of mushrooms that are perfect for this recipe! Holburne’s shiitake and oyster mushrooms are excellent choices as they take on seasoning and caramelize incredibly well. Add a plant-based twist by using our Farm Boy™ Vegan Feta-Style Cheese Alternative. Try our locally-made Corn Tortillas for this delicious recipe—traditionally crafted with 100% stone-ground corn and free of artificial colours,
Full Recipe: Wild Mushroom Tacos
