About Us
It has always been a life dream of Marietjie Kruger to own her own
mushroom farm. She realized this dream when she established Chanmar’s
Humble Mushroom in 2003. ‘Chanmar’ is derived from Marietjie’s two daughters, Chantell and Marlize.
The farm mainly grows white button mushrooms (80% of their product offering) as well as some brown mushrooms.
Most of these mushrooms are packaged and distributed to chain stores whilst a small portion goes directly to the catering market.
What started out as a small scale operation, is today a fully-fledged farming industry. After starting in Limpopo’s famous Waterberg region in 2003, Chanmar, in early 2015, relocated to Gauteng. Every day she evaluates the rooms’ compost and checks that their temperature, moisture levels, air flow and water requirements are in order. It takes dedication and skill to grow quality mushrooms and Marietjie loves it: “It’s like a hobby. Although it’s long hours, she likes the fact that each growth room and its respective compost has its own identity keeping you on your toes and making every harvest a challenge.” With regards to her working in the agricultural industry she says: “I believe that whether you’re a man or woman, if your heart is in what you do, then you’re in the right place.”
Marietjie acknowledges God for her success and feels grateful towards her employees for their patience and support in her work where the mushrooms determine her amount of free time. When she does have some leisure time she likes spending it in Africa’s wilderness.
Recently Chanmar also embarked on a journey whereby mushrooms are preserved into a delicacy to be served as a snack or light refreshment. Available in nine flavours – Spicy Masala, Mustard & Garlic, Mushlicious (When available), Achaar, Chunky Chutney, Chilli Zing, Delicious, Relish, Sjoe Sjoe – this preserve product has become very popular.
The company is driven by a passion for customer service and a quality product and therefore hygiene and disease prevention is of the utmost importance. Due to the very complex and sensitive environment, the farm is therefore not able to accommodate any visitors. Mushroom growing is one of the most unusual stories in agriculture and mushrooms being such a unique protein source.
Biosecurity in Agaricus (button mushroom) cultivation is critical to protect high density, controlled-enviroment production from viral bacterial, and fungal diseases. Key biosecurity measures focus on sanitation, substrate sterilization and enviromental monitoring to prevent pathogens such as Trichoderma or viruses from ruining crops.
