Hi-fi Myco: Mushroom Block Rescue
STEP 1: Schedule A Pick-up Time
Public pickup hours: Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday at 9 a.m. SHARP
We'll text you the day before your shift to confirm your schedule and let you know if blocks are available. Please note that available blocks are never guaranteed because mushroom farming is sometimes unpredictable.
Important for your shift: For safety and efficiency, blocks are loaded indoors with a staff member present to assist you. To ensure this process runs smoothly for everyone, please arrive on time at 9:00 SHARP. This team is unable to wait for late arrivals.
STEP 2: Read Important Reminders
Cancel if your plans change
There are limited supply and shifts and when you are a NO SHOW, blocks go to the waste. Cancel Shift
Wear a Mask (Not Required)
Inhaling a lot of mushroom and mold spores is a health risk. We STRONGLY ENCOURAGE bringing and wearing a mask while you are handling, moving, and loading blocks. Handling blocks will encourage spores into the air, from both the mushrooms and mold contamination.
Bring a Tarp
If you are not using a truck, make sure you have a tarp because there is moisture and things get messy.
STEP 3: Confirm Your Appointment
Once you pick a date, we will text or email you a day before your shift with a reminder of address instructions, safety protocols, directions to the farm and address for drop off at a community pickup closest to you.
STEP 4: Pick up Instructions
Arrive on Time at 9:00 AM at Mushroom Farm
Pull around back of the building to loading dock 2. (near trash dumpsters). Back up to docks as close as possible for easy loading. There are 5 volunteers scheduled each shift and to help pick-ups move quicker you can help load vehicles. Get to know other soilpunks!
Amount of Blocks to Take
You must take at least 50 blocks and max of 100 blocks. We plan shifts based on supply. Supply is sometimes limited because mushroom farming is unpredictable. It is not possible to make special requests on a variety of mushrooms. You must take what is available. We can’t guarantee blocks will always be available.
STEP 5: Drop off at Community Location
This community program is all about symbiosis and creating a mycelial network. We encourage sharing as we all need mushrooms in our lives! Pick-up a least 50+ blocks in your own vehicle to deliver at least 25 to community pickup closest to you that is in Red, meaning they are out of blocks. Sometimes sites are full or perhaps too far from you so keep them and share with your friends, family and neighbors. The Natural Gardener and 1181 Comal Street go through blocks quickly and can use them often.
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STEP 6: Post Drop Checklist
VERIFY you attended and add impact on GivePulse. You will get an email alert. Share photos of your experience and let us know how it went.
SPREAD THE SPORES: Once the block is rockin' with 🍄 please share a photo with me and the community by tagging us on social media, sharing on Facebook groups. If you don't do the socials, email or text the volunteer coordinator. I will update the map and alert the community to keep the mycelium running.
OPTIONAL GAS REIMBURSEMENT: Fill out Gas Reimbursement Request Form Reimbursement is based on the standard mileage rate for transportation or travel expenses- 67 cents per mile - for all miles of business use (business standard mileage rate).
EDUCATE: Get videos, downloadable printing materials and FAQs to send to your friends. Encourage other folks to pick up blocks and support this community program as well.
Identifying Varieties
Hi-Fi currently produces a different varieties of mushroom, Blue Oyster, Local Oysters, Black Pearls, Lion’s Mane, Chestnuts and Pioppini .
Encourage Donations
Every Little Bit Helps
Programs like this would not be possible without the generous support of donors and volunteers. If you would like a yard sign with a donation QR code, tap or click the button below to send us an email.
If you are picking up blocks with the intention of gifting them to your friends and neighbors, by all means do so. We appreciate anyone spreading the joy of mycology and taking these blocks out of the waste stream.