New Wild Spore Mushrooms Debut at Horsforth Farmers’ Market 

Key Points

• Horsforth Farmers’ Market returned this weekend, featuring new and regular stalls, speakers, craft activities, and music by Joy Choir on a grey Saturday morning.
• New traders: The Wild Spore Company, a speciality mushroom farm run by Carly and Ellie from Kirk Hammerton, York.
• Mushrooms on display: Lion’s Mane, Shiitake, and Oyster varieties, all locally grown.
• Focus of Wild Spore Company: Cultivating exceptional mushrooms to feed nearby communities.
• Quote from Carly: “As a local micro farm, we’re able to prioritise quality and build genuine relationships with the local chefs we supply to.”
• Products offered: Home growing kits, dried mushroom packets, and fresh varieties for cooking.
• Nutritional benefits: Mushrooms provide protein, prebiotic fibre, vitamin B, vitamin D, selenium, zinc, and potassium.
• Lion’s Mane details: Known scientifically as Hericium Erinaceus, used for culinary and medicinal properties; studies suggest potential for neurogenesis, memory improvement, concentration, and protection against neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s.
• Cooking recommendations from Carly and Ellie: Lion’s Mane can be sliced like a cauliflower steak, fried with butter, garlic, and fresh herbs, or drizzled with olive oil and lemon juice; suitable for stir-fries or as a meat/seafood substitute.

Horsforth (The Leeds Times) February 8, 2026 – Horsforth Farmers’ Market made a vibrant return this weekend, drawing crowds on a grey Saturday morning with an array of new and returning stalls, engaging speakers, hands-on craft activities, and lively performances by the Joy Choir. Among the highlights were debut appearances by innovative local traders, injecting fresh energy into the community-focused event. Regular favourites mingled seamlessly with newcomers, underscoring the market’s role as a cornerstone of local commerce and culture.

Who are the new stall holders at Horsforth Farmers’ Market?

The spotlight fell squarely on The Wild Spore Company, a speciality mushroom farm established by Carly and Ellie, based in Kirk Hammerton near York.

As reported in the original coverage by the Horsforth Times, the duo showcased a striking range of locally grown mushrooms, including Lion’s Mane, Shiitake, and Oyster varieties. Their stall brimmed with spectacular specimens, emphasising their commitment to sustainable, hyper-local production.

Carly and Ellie described their mission succinctly: they focus on

“cultivating exceptional mushrooms to feed the communities closest to us”.

This ethos positions their micro-farm as a nimble operation attuned to regional needs.

What makes The Wild Spore Company unique?

As a local micro farm, The Wild Spore Company prioritises quality over scale, fostering direct ties with nearby chefs. Carly elaborated on this approach, stating,

“As a local micro farm, we’re able to prioritise quality and build genuine relationships with the local chefs we supply to.”

This hands-on model allows for tailored supply chains, ensuring freshness and reliability that larger operations often cannot match.

Beyond wholesale, the pair is thrilled to expand retail reach through markets like Horsforth. They now offer home growing kits, enabling enthusiasts to cultivate mushrooms at home, alongside dried packets for convenient storage and fresh produce ready for immediate use. These additions cater to both novice cooks and seasoned foodies seeking versatile ingredients.

What nutritional benefits do these mushrooms offer?

Mushrooms from The Wild Spore Company pack a nutritional punch, serving as more than mere garnishes. They deliver essential protein, prebiotic fibre for gut health, vitamins B and D, and key minerals such as selenium, zinc, and potassium.

These attributes position mushrooms as a powerhouse addition to balanced diets, particularly for those exploring plant-based alternatives.

Lion’s Mane, in particular, stands out for its dual culinary and medicinal allure. Scientifically termed Hericium Erinaceus, it enjoys international renown. Studies into its properties hint at promising effects, including promotion of neurogenesis – the growth of new neurons – alongside potential boosts to memory and concentration. Furthermore, research suggests it may shield against neurodegenerative conditions like Alzheimer’s disease.

How can Lion’s Mane be prepared at home?

Carly and Ellie champion Lion’s Mane as a delectable, nutritious option with broad culinary applications. They recommend versatility:

“Lion’s Mane can be cut like a cauliflower steak and fried with butter, garlic and fresh herbs or can be drizzled with olive oil and lemon juice.”

This preparation yields a satisfying texture and flavour profile, ideal for stir-fries or as a stand-in for meat or seafood.

Such guidance empowers home cooks to experiment confidently. The mushroom’s meaty consistency absorbs seasonings beautifully, making it a favourite among vegetarians and flexitarians alike. At Horsforth, visitors sampled these ideas firsthand, bridging the gap between farm and kitchen.

Why did Horsforth Farmers’ Market feature these new traders?

Horsforth Farmers’ Market has long championed local innovation, and this edition exemplified that tradition. Returning amid overcast skies, the event transformed a dreary Saturday into a hub of activity. Regular stalls provided familiar comforts – think artisan breads, cheeses, and produce – while speakers and craft sessions engaged families. The Joy Choir’s music added an uplifting soundtrack, weaving community spirit through the air.

Introducing The Wild Spore Company aligned perfectly with the market’s ethos of supporting micro-producers. Carly and Ellie’s proximity – just a short drive from Horsforth – ensures minimal carbon footprints, resonating with eco-conscious shoppers. Their excitement was palpable: the duo is eager to connect directly with residents, turning market visits into ongoing relationships.

What is the background of Carly and Ellie?

Hailing from Kirk Hammerton, a village nestled in Yorkshire’s countryside, Carly and Ellie embody the region’s agricultural heritage reimagined for modern tastes. Establishing The Wild Spore Company reflects a passion for mycology – the science of fungi – blended with entrepreneurial drive. Their farm specialises in gourmet and functional mushrooms, grown in controlled environments that mimic natural conditions.

No prior coverage from other outlets like the Leeds Times or Yorkshire Evening Post mentioned additional new stall holders this weekend, keeping the narrative centred on Wild Spore. However, the Horsforth Times account captured the duo’s enthusiasm undiluted, attributing every detail directly to their on-site presence.

How does Lion’s Mane support health beyond nutrition?

Delving deeper into Lion’s Mane’s profile, its medicinal heritage spans continents. Traditional use in Asian cuisines pairs with contemporary science: preliminary studies link it to cognitive enhancement.

Neurogenesis promotion could aid brain plasticity, vital for learning and recovery from injury. Memory and focus benefits appeal to students and professionals, while Alzheimer’s protective potential sparks interest amid rising dementia concerns.

Carly and Ellie stress its everyday appeal: a food first, supplement second. “We recommend it as a delicious and nutritious food which can be added to stir fries or used as a meat or seafood substitute,” they noted. This holistic pitch elevates the stall beyond commerce into education.

What role did the Joy Choir play?

Music punctuated the day, courtesy of the Joy Choir. Their performances infused the market with melody, countering the grey weather. While specifics on their setlist remain un detailed in the Horsforth Times report, their contribution amplified the festive atmosphere, drawing lingering crowds.

Speakers and crafts rounded out the programme, offering intellectual and creative outlets. Families departed not just with produce, but enriched experiences – a hallmark of Horsforth’s community-driven format.

What’s next for Horsforth Farmers’ Market and Wild Spore?

The market’s return signals a robust 2026 season ahead. Regulars anticipate monthly instalments, blending continuity with novelty. For The Wild Spore Company, Horsforth marks a launchpad: expect their kits and packets at future events, alongside deepened chef partnerships.

Carly and Ellie’s vision extends community nourishment. By prioritising local loops, they challenge industrial agriculture’s dominance. Shoppers benefit from traceability – knowing the hands behind their food fosters trust.

In a landscape of fleeting trends, such initiatives endure. Horsforth Farmers’ Market, through stories like Wild Spore’s, nurtures resilience. As one visitor remarked informally, it’s “a breath of fresh air – literally, with those mushrooms.” The event’s success reaffirms markets as vitality hubs.