THE MAGIC OF MUSHROOMS: A STORY OF GROWTH AND INNOVATION
Snehal Mane
Hello everyone! First of all, I'd like to express my gratitude for being here today and for this opportunity to speak. I'm an athlete and have long been familiar with mushrooms because they're a part of my regular diet and nutrition. But my real introduction to mushrooms was in 2020 with Manegrow. That was the year my father, Mr. Umesh Mane, founded Manegrow, which is now one of the leading mushroom farms in Asia. Manegrow supplies fresh mushrooms to nine states in India. Our product range also includes canned mushrooms and frozen products. We proudly partner with well-known brands such as Domino's, Barbecue Nation, More, Reliance, Lulu, and Dmart.
It has been a privilege to witness Manegrow's remarkable journey from humble beginnings to a major player in the Indian mushroom market. What makes this journey even more special is the shared vision of every employee at Manegrow. Since Manegrow's inception, I've delved deeper into mushrooms, learning about their nutritional benefits and how they impact the human body. They have anti-inflammatory properties, vitamins, minerals, and strengthen the immune system, which is crucial for a person's health, especially for an athlete, as players have greater nutritional and dietary needs.
I also recently launched Samspire – The Mushroom Café, India's first mushroom café, dedicated entirely to mushrooms. The entire concept, from the decor to the menu, is based on mushrooms. The menu offers great versatility, with very different and interesting dishes from both Indian and continental cuisines. We've also used mushrooms in recipes that are already familiar to local customers, so they won't be too overwhelmed to try them. By creating a menu that combines familiarity with innovation, I hope to make mushrooms a regular part of people's diets.
The goal behind this café was to raise awareness about mushrooms, as they are often misunderstood; there are many misconceptions and doubts people have about them. Through this café, I hope to show people that mushrooms are not only safe but also very healthy and delicious. The inspiration for this café was the culture I experienced around the world while traveling for tournaments. I learned that in many countries, mushrooms are not only a food item but also part of their culture and festivities, helping people connect with nature on a deeper level through activities like mushroom hunting.
It helped me realize that we can do more than just grow mushrooms, and that's why I envisioned a café. I think people feel more connected to what's on their plate than to any scientific explanation of health benefits. Creating a fun mushroom theme helped make it a more enjoyable experience for customers, and they could sample mushrooms in different shapes and flavors. It naturally made them very curious and interested in mushrooms.
I believe such innovations will change the way people view the mushroom industry. Considering this event, India's Mushroom Days, and last year's Mushroom Summit, I think it's really helpful that all the scholars, mushroom growers, and entrepreneurs are coming together to share their knowledge, create a network, and create a "myco" community. I think it's a fantastic initiative by Milky Way and Mr. Anurag. Once again, I want to thank everyone for attending and listening today, and I want to thank everyone who made this event possible.
Ms. Snehal Mane Co-Founder
Manegrow Mushroom Farms