The Mushroom Council is a U.S. organization of fresh mushroom producers created and funded through a commodity checkoff program.

The Mushroom Council funds mushroom research and promotion programs through a levy on mushroom producers and importers.^[1][2] The council uses the funds for programs such as public relations and advertising as well as communications through retail outlets and restaurants.^[1] The council's activities support its goals which include getting people to buy and use mushrooms as often as they do vegetables.^[3]

The Mushroom Council was created as part of the Mushroom Promotion, Research & Consumer Information Act of 1990 which was signed into law on November 28, 1990, by President George H. W. Bush.^[2][4] The Mushroom Promotion, Research, and Consumer Information Order, part of the act that created the Mushroom Council, did not actually take effect until January 8, 1993.^[2] The delay in implementation was due to a comment period and a referendum among growers and importers to authorize the checkoff program.^[2] Another referendum on whether or not to continue the program was held in 1998. About 70 percent of producers and importers cast a ballot in the referendum and continuing the mushroom checkoff program was approved by 80 percent.^[2]

The Mushroom Council played a role in getting the month of September declared National Mushroom Month.^[1][5] The origins of National Mushroom Month can be traced to the Mushroom Festival in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, during the second week of September.^[3] Beginning in 1992 official proclamations from the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture and the Governor of Pennsylvania declared September as National Mushroom Month.^[3] The Mushroom Council supports National Mushroom Month through public and media outreach including social media and a website highlighting mushroom uses.^[3]

The council is funded through an assessment on all mushroom producers and importers who average over 500,000 pounds of the crop per year.^[2] Mushroom producers in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia are assessed a $.005 per pound fee, those producing or importing less than 500,000 pounds of mushrooms are exempted from the fee.^[2] For calendar year 2014 the council's budget was $4.2 million.^[2]

• Official website
• Mushroom Promotion, Research & Consumer Information Act of 1990
• Mushroom Promotion, Research, and Consumer Information Order