Monterey Mushrooms, Inc. is a sprawling mushroom-growing facility in Madisonville and is Texas’ largest mushroom producer. Next year, it will become the nation’s second-largest mushroom grower upon completion of its expanded production capacity, according to The Huntsville Item.
Current mushroom production is 600,000 pounds per week, and with the addition of two new buildings, production is expected to increase to 657,000 pounds weekly. Large modern rooms emit high humidity and cool 60-degree temperatures to create a climate-controlled environment.
Primarily white button, but also baby bella and portabella, mushrooms are shipped mostly throughout Texas, and as far west as Phoenix.
In 2005, the Texas Legislature recognized Madisonville as the “The Mushroom Capital of Texas.” The company is the city’s largest private-sector employer with 650 workers, which will increase with 50 more after the plant’s expansion.