World's Most Expensive Mushroom (Matsutake) Stomp Part 1

Pickers have had enough of this scam.

Please do not send email to this account. I am only the poster of this video. TC can be reached at firstchoicemushrooms@telus.net

First we would like to say this video was made out of pure frustration of the unfair prices paid to mushroom pickers here in North America. It was not intended to be disrespectful in anyway toward Japan, our quality mushrooms or to personally attack any broker or buyer.

Here in Terrace, BC. Canada. The economic loss of this renewable forest product - the "Pine" or Matsutake mushroom has been devastating to our local business and economy.

The pickers have been unsuccessful for 5 years to organize any meaningful protest (strike)against the buyers. The buyers have been unable to give the pickers a fair price. The buyer's commission now has been cut in half for no reason. So we are asking any buyers in Terrace who would like to participate for a change to step up to the plate, for your customers, community, local businesses and fellow man to strike for 7 day's and picket those who don't next year. A letter will be sent to all before the 2008 mushroom season.

***UPDATE -Thank you for all those who have shown your support. Don't forget to watch part 2, 3 and 4.

Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• Pine
• Mushroom
• mushrooms
• Matsutake
• Terrace
• B.C.
• pickers
• strike
• stomp
• redshift40

[fixer11]

I'm just wondering what you do now. It's seems like this business is/was a huge part of your life. Are you to the point that you don't turn a profit at all? If so, I assume you're out of the business. What will it take to bring the prices back up? And, do you think it will ever happen? Best of Luck, bro. I totally see that it's heartbreaking to you.

[redshift40]

It used to be extra income for me. I have not picked for a long time. The price will never be fair again until the pickers get together and strike. I don't see that ever becoming a reality. Too many people out there are desperate or will pick them just for fun. These people have killed the industry for supporting the monopoly.

[Tuuktalus]

Mushroom moshing... I know Japanese that watch this are crying.

[redshift40]

I know I won't sell them for less than $10 a lb.

[WobblingHobGoblin]

Why not eat them, feed some of the unemployed in that area?

[terryinterrace]

Wtg TC :)

You have spoken for hundreds if not thousands

of mushroom pickers all over the west coast.

My only regret is that you didn't include a mushroom broker or two's head in the stomp.

Rock on.

[WizzardTV1]

You guys are getting beat out by automation dude ! Look at this, picking wild is just to inefficient !

[jakesled]

crazy , i can see 2 a pound being a profit for a single person, but for you guys its a slap in the face , i see the frustration for sure, haha you should have sold the squished ones for fertilizer lol probably make more money

[micropterus101]

I first started picking back when prices were high. Crazy fun starting out in highschool and making some good cash for playin in the woods. I still pick today but stopped selling them years ago when the prices went to hell.

"immigrants" picking and selling still today for less then chantrelles, and the quality of of matzis from some usa exporters screwed us big time. They get better from Argentina and Korea now. Never be the same regardless of what we do.

[mpatters2004]

Why don't the pickers and small buyers get together and form a co-op? Have a board of directors (either volunteer or modestly paid). Formulate prices etc. so that the pickers get paid properly and you don't have some guy at the top getting fabulously rich on the backs of other people. The co-op could control everything from the picker to actual delivery in Japan.

[steviemack101]

@TihadBaker 3$ today sept 28th 2010 :(

[GitwangakKing]

Damn gangs like the wu Tang Clan, triads, the axe gang are making mushroom pickin a joke. we cant afford to pick this year.

[kevvvvshep]

This is Awsome TC..

being a yearly picker from rupert, I feel the pain.

This bs is getting worse and worse every year. I LOVE PICKING... and I HATE giving giving my cash to slime balls like Joe chung... 2 years ago we stomped our mushrooms at the ZOO (nass area) and my god did that ever feel good.

This should be an annual event as soon as we pick for under 5$ a pound

STOMP IT ALL

or donate to your local resturaunts * sushi gigs will love you *

YOU ROCK TC!!

[TihadBaker]

@WillyTung Mushrooms are being destroyed in protest to the low prices that pines are currently worth. As heard in the video, they used to be worth $50 a pound (a long time ago they were worth even more) and now they are only $2 a pound.

This was in 07', I haven't been keeping up with the prices but I assume they are still low now in 2010.

[rasmussigfus]

ive sold to you,im a vetran picker,since 89,Good on ya bro !!!! i think Tony Hitoe in Vancouver has gotta go !!!!! Pickers and buyers rights need to be adressed with the Japanese,weve bin gettin screwed every year for many years now !!! We need a new man in Van !!!!!

[NewportCoastCA]

I will be happy to find you guys a bunch of restaurants that are willing to shell out big dollars for these amazing mushrooms.