My friend told me about Mountain Meadow Mushroom Farm and its free mushroom compost. I finally took a long drive deep into Escodido and was rewarded with some really nice, organic mushroom compost. There are mountains of compost, and all you need is a big car (ideally a truck) and some muscle to scoop them up. Mushroom compost is high in salt so you need to be careful not to use too much with fruit trees. On the other hand, vegetables love mushroom compost. They also sell all kinds of mushroom varieties (Portobello, Shiitake, King Oyster, Cremini, etc.) at their front office for a pretty reasonable price (around $12/lb). Overall, a great place to get free compost, buy fresh mushrooms, and enjoy a country scenery ride in Escondido. read more

Mountain Meadow Mushrooms - Fresh murshrooms - Specialty Food Near Me - Escondido, California

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I used to get free compost here for years. This place was on Dirty Jobs years ago and things have changed. Compost is sourced from EDCO, personally saw trucks unload. It's basically what we the public throw away in the green cans, and its not organic nor safe beside the toxic chemicals they use to kill bugs. Thats from a former employees mouth. Not sure if that has changed but i did question the whole situation after seeing trash truck delivery. After using this in my yard last year i started to question is free really worth it. NOPE SORRY but not sorry. Ive even paid for truck loads prior to the change. read more

I love this mushroom farm! We have purchased mushrooms from them many times and pick up their amazing FREE compost for our garden. Their receptionist is so nice with filling orders, even when we order through too good to go. We frequently get their mushrooms in our CSA box and they're always high quality. The farm is so cute and it's nice to buy locally grown food! read more

This is a wonderful place to get free mushroom mulch. Often we just take some bins and shovels up there and shovel the stuff into our bins. However, twice we have paid for a skiploader to dump the mulch into a pickup truck. Also we had a person get the mulch and he delivered 3 yards of mulch to our home. The company is very easy to work with. It is only open W-Saturday. read more

I shop for all of my fruits and vegetables exclusively at the Irvine farmers market. The lady that runs the Mountain Meadows Mushrooms booth is an extremely nice and friendly person. The variety of mushrooms are absolutely divine. I prefer the shiitake and the buttons. I also like that I'm using my money to support local independent farmers. I'm also certain beyond reasonable doubt that the quality of product I'm getting is far better than any store could provide. read more

Great local place for super fresh mushrooms. You can get them either directly at the farm or you can find their products also at some farmers markets. Highly recommend the tour the owner Roberto leads every couple of weeks on a Saturday. He is very knowledgeable and you can see how proud he is of his business! read more

Mountain Meadow Mushrooms - Great sample box of various mushrooms they sell. - Specialty Food Near Me - Escondido, California

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DO NOT EAT THESE MUSHROOMS! Long time customer until I saw that they grow their mushrooms in what looks like compost sourced from the landfill. After buyer for years I was redoing my garden area and knew they provided compost. I paid to have the 10yds delivered and found plastic bags, rope, gloves, candy wrappers, cigarette butts, a door hinge, soda cans, plastic bottles, rubber, and other pieces of trash that I've been picking out for the last 4+ weeks.​ I do my best to avoid toxins and eating food grown in trash is not my idea of healthy or safe. I figured I'd share my experience to others who also wish to avoid eating food grown in this manner. read more

Got a bag of mushrooms here the area is really farm like and rustic! Liked visiting here didn't feel like San Diego. Mushrooms are good

Got from too good to go with lower price . Worth to go . Very fresh mushroom . Only thing is the manager was on a phone so I had to look for the mushrooms myself to pick up but with a sign where to find . read more

We went on a tour of their mushroom facility in Escondido. We had been here before Covid hit to buy mushrooms and boy have things changed. It's sad to see how Covid affected so many wonderful businesses. They use to sell millions of pounds of mushrooms to the restaurants and now they sell less than a million due to so many closing. On the bright side they have teamed up with another mushroom company and now do tinctures as well as tours and plan to expand. They explained how they grow all their mushrooms inside similar to the Dutch. They went from 120 employees to just 10 so if you want something specific place your order ahead of time because there is a good chance they will be out before you get there. Especially their rare mushrooms which are amazing!!! We got a few tinctures and the King Trumpet mushrooms which are suppose to taste like scallops so Surf and Soil Turf will be cooked tonight. We also got some free compost while we were there. The compost is free they just ask you to sign in. I highly recommend the tour and make sure you buy some fresh mushrooms and tincture. read more

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I come to provide another review about their free mushroom compost. I learned about this several years ago but felt ill equipped to haul bulk compost in a small car + unmotivated by the distance from me (40 mins away), but ya know what? if you are serious about gardening and being cost-effective, it is worth the time and effort. What I finally decided to do was bring two large totes with me and tarp, shovel, 5 gallon bucket and gloves. Easy peasy solution for us non truck or SUVers. Really easy drive, open 7 days a week (so important for us weekday office workers), and blatantly obvious where the compost is that you can drive right up to. Saw all the signs saying to checkin in to the office, but it was closed on sunday and a worker told me if the office is ever closed not to worry about it and just take from any pile desired. I was in and out in 30 mins and the amount I was able to transport is probably over $100 worth of great compost "black gold." And the hilarious thing is my "great bounty" didnt even knock a dent in their supply to the world. It's clear why they are able to offer completely free mushroom compost without worry of running out. Even a truckful would put a dent in that mountain. My method for loading and unloading was a bit cumbersome, but not really a big deal. I backed up right next to the pile to shovel directly into my tote in the trunk then used the 5 gallon bucket to shovel and dump into the one in my backseat. Oh, and for those wondering...this compost doesnt smell terrible. Mild mushroom smell. Yes, my car smelled like it but it wasnt offputting and leaving all my windows open in garage thru the night it was gone completely. The compost sat in my car for hours while I went to the safari park after. Unloading entailed shoveling around half out of each tote and onto a tarp so it was light enough to remove from my car and then back in. Again, only took me about 10 mins a tote. Life with a pickup would be easier but I enjoy my gas mileage :) I cant speak on the results of the compost since I literally just picked up. With inquiring with my local gardening group, some people advised leaving computer for a bit to age stating they felt it was still hot/fresh. Others said they put directly in garden without issue. I'll be waiting a bit before use. Very excited for my first mushroom compost addition to garden. Thank you MMM! read more

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Another great visit to Mountain Meadow Mushrooms. We bought 5# of Maitake mushrooms -- most of which we used for our mushroom sauce for pasta -- and some Pink Oyster mushrooms that I sauté with olive oil and garlic. Always take advantage of the free mushroom compost. We use it for our vegetable and herb gardens. read more

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They have a wide variety of mushrooms. They have also give us recipes that are favorites of ours now. "Scallops" from the king oysters are my husband's favorite. We pick up directly from the farm when we are in the area. read more

Unbelievable our tour guide and part owner Robert knows so much about mushrooms. The tour is worth the money and you get to actually take home fresh mushrooms. I never knew the medicinal qualities so intense from mushrooms. If your restaurant or your cook please go there and support this business their stuff is organic fresh and amazing! read more

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5/5 ORGANIC Mushroom tour $25 per person, $10 deposit prepay. Includes tour and 1 bag of freshly picked mushroom variety. Worth every penny! To appreciate the farm, watch Netflix's FANTASTIC FUNGI which took years to make. Roberto (owner/tour guide) is a smart and funny mushroom nerd. If you are curious about mushroom related machinery, price of almond shells or wants scientific data, he's your man. Tour involves walking around outdoors so have proper shoes and maybe hat/umbrella on hot days. The best part of the tour is last, where you can taste fresh mushroom and fill your bag. After all the walking, you will appreciate being inside the refrigerated storage "farm." You have to wear mask, head cover and gloves to protect the baby mushrooms (part of tour kit). BEST FRESH ORGANIC MUSHROOMS 5+++ stars. Skip the grocery store and come here. Call ahead to check inventory for that day. You don't realize what fresh tastes like. They are now carrying organic tinctures and powder for your wellness needs. A "wish" list is hopefully they start carrying tincture without alcohol base for those who can't tolerate any alcohol ingredients. FREE FREE FREE FREE ORGANIC compost!!! This is for ANYONE, you don't have to buy anything. You just pull your car to the mountain of compost and fill up. Line up your trunk, bring gloves and gallon buckets. If you have a major gardening project, call for a truck delivery $125, it's worth it. Nice friendly hardworking staff. Support local, organic and enviromentally conscious business. read more

We visited Mountain Meadows Mushroom farm in the rolling hills of Escondido prompted by sheer curiosity. Our guide, Robert, is a fantastic raconteur with a laidback attitude, complete with flannel shirt and cowboy hat. He gave a tour that was, borrowing his catch-phrase, "splendid," portraying himself as a "fun guy" (get it?) always ready with a story or quip. He was very informative; we learned so much about the different kinds of mushrooms (primary, secondary, and tertiary decomposers!) and aspects of actual farming (preparing the compost, ideal growing conditions, the Dutch vs. U.S. system). Everyone went home at the end of the tour with a bag stuffed with shiitake mushrooms and ideas for recipes. He answered everyone's questions, providing both practical tips and entertaining personal anecdotes, and shared some fascinating tidbits about trends in the industry overall. A few items that would have made the experience even better, though their lack doesn't affect my five-star rating: - Update the website, bringing it into the present decade and really showcasing the farm, and improving the tour reservation page so visitors can select their tour dates and see which dates are full (we learned only by contacting the office that tickets are for the immediately upcoming tour) - Show visitors more fruiting chambers with different types of mushrooms. We visited just a couple fruiting chambers, one empty to learn see how they're designed, and one (most likely reserved for showing visitors) with shiitakes, though we appreciated there were a couple other examples on-hand. - Greater variety in the gift shop. After checking out the online store, I wanted to try some of that mushroom jerky! The products on display were generally limited to mushrooms (of course) and tinctures. read more

Mountain Meadow Mushrooms - Fruiting chamber with shiitake mushrooms. - Specialty Food Near Me - Escondido, California

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We had a very interesting tour with Roberto, the owner. He is really engaging so we learned a lot and it was fun! We got to see various parts of the mushroom farm and several different kinds of mushrooms they are growing. They also give away free mushroom compost. And you can buy mushrooms and grow kits there. Definitely worth a visit! read more

For my birthday I asked my family to take a tour with me to Mountain Meadow Mushrooms. It was just a wonderful way to spend a Saturday morning. We learned SO much on the tour given by the owner, and I am now going to bring relatives who visit and are mushroom lovers like me. We immediately started cooking up the mushrooms we brought home, and did you know the beautiful pink oyster mushrooms cook into yellow? Very delicious, too. read more

Love these guys! Have wanted to visit this farm for ages and finally got around to it. Unfortunately, the pandemic put the kibosh on touring the farm. However, we were greeted cordially, got four cases of assorted mushrooms, fresh and fragrant, (10# per box!) for just $30 each! Wow! Can't be that. We also got a huge load of mushroom compost in the back of our truck. Compost is free if you "serve yourself". If you'd like it dumped into your truck bed, it is just $25. Great ride into the back country, wonderfully friendly helpful people, delicious fresh mushrooms at a fabulous price. Do bring cash, and load up on compost and mushrooms! Buy local!!! read more

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I went there to pick up free mushroom mulch. So grateful for having the opportunity to do so. Of course I wanted to see their mushrooms and got a bag of trumpet mushrooms that I cooked up like scallops. We got two big meals for two out of one bag. Lovely and delicious! Definitely will be back though it's a long drive from here to their Escondido farm. Very happy. read more

Their mushrooms are delicious, we always get the variety bag when we come to get the FREE mushroom compost! The compost grows great veggies. It is a stellar little operation and everyone is friendly. I'm stoked to see them at more farmer's markets and even doing deliveries. You guys should make stickers, I'd love to slap one on my truck! read more

Bought a huge pack of mushrooms and made a bunch of hot pockets. My son loves them. The mix ofushrooma is perfect and we've been cooking them for a week now... read more

Mountain Meadow Mushrooms - My shrooms - Specialty Food Near Me - Escondido, California

Local mushroom farm in Escondido that is 100% certified organically grown. I went there to get mushroom compost. There was a giant pile of compost. For $25 you can have it loaded into a truck or trailer with their loading machine. I wanted to buy mushrooms from their farmstand, but didn't see it. It was an interesting "field trip" for my kid, and maybe next time we can get a tour of the growing rooms. I buy their mushrooms at Frasier Farms market, and they are local and fresh. read more

Magic Mushrooms.. I first found out about this place watching Mike Rowe's Dirty Jobs show (Mushroom Farmer). The farm is just up the road from me so it obviously perked my interest. Little did I know, but I've been using their product for years ( You can find it at Henry's and other local grocery stores). I've also been impressed with the quality of their shrooms. Note - They basically grow the mushrooms in sh*t. You'll need to call them to find out about tours. Free compost! I'd call to make sure they have the equipment available if you're loading a truck. (760) 749-1201. You know you're close to the farm... the place stinks! read more

Mountain Meadow Mushrooms - Specialty Food Near Me - Escondido, California

bought the shiitake log a week ago. so impressive. took the tour last month and also picked up free mulch/compost read more

Mountain Meadow Mushrooms - Bought the shiitake mushroom log a week ago at the Carlsbad Farmers market. So impressed. Did the tour last month - Specialty Food Near Me - Escondido, California

Great place to find rare and unique mushrooms and free organic compost!! Will return with a truck :)

Great variety of mushrooms and they are very knowledgeable and friendly. Took home a small variety box to try them all read more

Mountain Meadow Mushrooms - a variety of mushrooms - Specialty Food Near Me - Escondido, California

Free compost!! As much as you can shovel! It's a little out of the way (maybe not for everyone, tho').

This place is fabulous! An enormous operation with a great selection of mushrooms for a great price, and the compost! Everone I know who uses their compost has an INSANELY productive garden. Best of all, the compost is FREE. F - R - E - E Just back up your truck and load it in while the personnel prepares your mushroom order. They also sell mushroom tinctures, powders, and even delicious mushroom jerky. We are going to go back with some friends for a tour. read more

Wonderful, sweet and helpful people. Great compost! I've never gone wrong using their compost. In fact the beds I added their compost to far outgrew the ones that didn't get the compost. I haven't bought mushrooms from them yet. I'm eager to buy their mushroom-growing gifts. I keep going back. Beautiful drive. Beautiful experience. read more

While the world has gone mad with the quest for organic, local, local organic. I think it's important to point out the places like Triple M and CCD, Inc. have been producing local mushrooms in the 8 figure range in pounds for many many years and anyone who is vegan or vegetarian that doesn't draw the line at fungus should know the importance and benefits that they give over vegetables, green vegetables, nuts, root vegetables, etc. This is not a fad, this is not new, this is not a gimmick, this along with other gems are the key to the entire eco-system. Protip: Learn about the free organic mushroom compost that is 1000 times better than what you can get at El Corazon. 7-7 self loaded. If you've bought bulk mushrooms from local markets like Solana Beach, Vista, Carlsbad, etc. you have already tried them. They distribute and sell to a few local markets like Any green thumb or aspiring gardener knows the importance of soil and not the top soil crap you buy at HD or Lowes. I'm talking real compost, I'm talking biogenic and nutrient rich stuff that is "black gold" for all plant life. I promise you by switching to this you will see improvements in your harvest, you will know that buying something marketed as "pesticide free" isn't always the case, while using "natural organic" compost can be trusted. Since most of the reviews are about the compost I've dug a little deeper over the years. For value it can't be beat on compost and on mushrooms, you'll learn a lot in just a few minutes with their friendly staff and as you've learned from Mike Rowe it is a dirty job, lots of crap, lots of moisture, lots of smells and all kinds of heat and hot mess rise from their mounds of glory. They sell everything you need to start your own little subsistence mushroom growing, logs, plugs, PH testers, and some key information on the steps. What they won't tell you about is their industry secrets like how they get their logs to be so densely rich with spores. Cremini and white It's pretty easy to find and despite the pungency of the operation it certainly doesn't overpower the chicken farms you also pass on your way east of the 15. I've done worse. read more

The staff was super friendly and answered all of my many questions. I would highly recommend this place for their free compost and their mixed box of mushrooms. read more

Only if you love gardening will you even consider reading this. This place is way off the beaten path, and not a pretty sight. But nice to know. I- now that I am retired - am finally getting into organic gardening. I had a sadly neglected yard that is now starting to look like something with a little bit of elbow grease and sweat. New fruit trees, some nice roses, an apricot tree (yum) not to mention my favorite, a pomegranate tree that yields football sized fruit that tastes amazing. I have tubs full of heirloom tomatoes, herbs, and plans for growing beans and chard, maybe more. And lots of weeds. They all need TLC, except the weeds of course, and healthy compost addresses many of my problems. Unfortunately my kitchen trimmings are limited, and bags of compost from Home Depot are not exactly cheap. So when I found out that this mushroom farm piles up their spent mushroom compost, and lets you haul it away for FREE, I was all ears. This is exciting s**t, literally. My gardening friends, they ask that you check in at their humble office first. But bring your truckful of empty trash cans and start shoveling. Dirty, dusty work, smelly, but you already know your garden will love you forever. Hey, maybe you'll get some nice mushrooms too. read more

Mountain Meadow Mushrooms is a hidden gem here in San Diego County! Our group booked a tour for ten people. Robert, our tour guide, was extraordinarily knowledgable, and we learned so much about mushrooms, composting, and his organic mushroom farming methods. In addition, we were able to see every step of their process, and the elaborate set up they have to grow different types of mushrooms. The tour price included a bag of fresh picked mushrooms, which were delicious. We highly recommend Mountain Meadow Mushrooms - available on their website and at local farmers markets and a few groceries stores - and if you ever get a chance to tour, you'll cherish the trip! read more

This place is awesome. Free compost and excellent mushrooms. Nice vibe too.

Gary and his people are the best in the shrom bizz! These are the freshest mushrooms you can get anywhere and they taste AMAZING! They have huge piles of organic composted soil that is free for the taking! It is better than anything you can buy in the stores and did I mention that it is FREE! Just check in first at office, bring a shovel and a truck and get to work. It has grown some of the most amazing fruits and "herbs" EVER. Oh yeah, did I mention it was FREE :) read more

If you like to garden and need some compost to amend your clay soil you've come to the right place. Best of all .. It's free. Bring your shovel .. Buckets .. Garbage cans etc. Our veggie garden is doing fantastic after we added the free compost provided by this Mushroom farm. (Don't forget to check in at the office.) read more

Mountain Meadow Mushrooms - Free compost! - Specialty Food Near Me - Escondido, California

Not only does this business grow the best organic mushrooms ever, but they also have a program to give gardners their by products for free. They grow yummy nutritious organic mushrooms. The mushrooms put off a biproduct that is very nutritious for the, and we gardeners haul it away, mix it with soil (you have to mix it in -- only use 1/3 or you'll burn your plants, and in turn, we get big beautiful vegetables! When ever I shop for mushrooms I always think of MMM, and guess what, they are nice people too! read more

I want to thank you MMM for the high quality compost. I mixed the compost, sand and topsoil, 1/3 each by volume. The soil is great, high nutrient for the plants with good drainage. I did not any else to this mixture...ie fertilizer. I placed this black gold in a raised box three months prior to planting. The plants are healthy and productive. The Thai peppers and tomatoes are transplants and fruiting. Green onions and basil are vigorously growing. Corn and beets are sprouting from seeds. read more

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We've been here several times. They have a giant pile of manure that you can just pull up and take what you want for free, even on SUNDAY! Black gold for the garden. (Most people recommend letting it sit a few months, at least, before planting with it) everything we've grown with it has been great. Thank you! read more