Champignons Charlevoix: Two Decades of Oyster Mushrooms in La Malbaie
The story of Champignons Charlevoix starts with a kicked mushroom. Danielle Ricard got the idea for a mushroom farm after her husband, Jean-Pierre, accidentally booted a patch of fungi while walking through the woods near their home in the Charlevoix region. That moment of accidental contact led to eight years of research and development before the Ricards finally figured out how to grow oyster mushrooms commercially in a red barn at the foot of the Laurentians.
The Oldest Oyster Mushroom Producer in Quebec
After more than two decades in business, Champignons Charlevoix holds a distinction that few competitors can claim: they are the oldest oyster mushroom producer in the province. That kind of longevity in specialty mushroom farming doesn't happen by accident. The Ricards built their operation methodically, learning the biology and the business simultaneously, and they did it during a period when Charlevoix was being hit hard economically. Bankruptcies had hammered the region in the early 2000s, and the couple was looking for a reliable alternative source of income.
What they landed on was pleurotes -- oyster mushrooms -- grown in buckets using processes that generate only compost as waste. The operation now produces eight to ten tonnes of mushrooms annually, a volume that supports a full product line and keeps them visible across the Charlevoix food scene.
Products Beyond Fresh Mushrooms
Champignons Charlevoix hasn't stayed in the fresh mushroom lane alone. The farm produces dried mushrooms, mushroom powder, and a range of marinated mushroom products that extend shelf life and give restaurants and home cooks more ways to work with their harvest. They also carry products from other local suppliers and producers, positioning the farm as something of a hub for Charlevoix artisan food.
This diversification is smart business in a region that depends heavily on tourism. Visitors to Charlevoix want to bring something home, and a jar of marinated pleurotes from a farm they actually visited is exactly the kind of product that moves off shelves.
The Charlevoix Flavor Trail
The farm sits on chemin des Loisirs in the Grand-Fonds sector of La Malbaie, and it's part of the broader Charlevoix food tourism ecosystem that draws visitors from Montreal and Quebec City. Danielle Ricard is known for personally guiding visitors through the farm, explaining the cultivation process, and answering questions with the kind of patience that comes from genuine passion for the work.
What the Numbers Tell You
Most mushroom farms in Canada operate largely out of public view. They grow, they sell to distributors, and that's the extent of their customer-facing presence. Champignons Charlevoix has built something different -- a production facility that doubles as a destination, a farm that welcomes visitors while maintaining the output volume needed to supply restaurants and retailers across the region.
You'll find Champignons Charlevoix on chemin des Loisirs in the Grand-Fonds sector of La Malbaie, Quebec.
Champignons Charlevoix’s website lists oyster mushrooms and mushroom products. Visit its online shop for current offerings and ordering information.
Before you order or visit
Check Champignons Charlevoix inc.’s listed website for contact information and current offerings. Confirm available mushroom varieties, prices and pickup or delivery options directly with the business.
A directory address does not necessarily mean there is a shop open to visitors. Confirm visiting hours and whether an appointment is needed before travelling.
Interested in growing mushrooms yourself? Nature Lion supplies grain spawn, grow kits, and liquid cultures to growers across Canada. Start with our beginner's guide or use our farm profit calculator to plan your operation.
Photos of Champignons Charlevoix inc. via Google Places