Because backyard gardens are too much work and growing sprouts in a jar is so last year, most of us just don’t have a green thumb. But with repeated salmonella outbreaks and agribusiness increasingly in the public eye, knowing where our food comes from and growing our own produce are becoming popular habits. The problem is most of us don’t have the space or time to cultivate fruits and vegetables. Enter the Mushroom Kit ($19.95) from Oakland-based company Back to the Roots. Started by two UC Berkeley graduates, Back to the Roots is all about innovation and sustainability through gourmet mushrooms grown in recycled coffee grounds (some even collected from Peet’s Coffee). Mushrooms are an easy, nutritious, and quick addition to stir-frys, omelets, and salads. Just set the kit on a window sill and mist occasionally: you’ll be able to harvest and become an urban farmer in 10 days!
Kits available online or at select Whole Foods.
Like Back to the Roots on Facebook for more info, discounts, and to donate a kit to your local school.
