A Vision Born from Passion + Experience
Our story is rooted in the shared passion and extensive experience of individuals dedicated to health, wellness, and mushrooms. M2 Ingredients was founded on the belief that the power of functional mushrooms could be harnessed to revolutionize the modern wellness industry.
The Beginning of M2
Our journey began with:
Steve Farrar, M.Sc.
A seasoned expert in mycology and mushroom cultivation. Steve brought decades of experience in cultivating high-quality, potent mushrooms. His deep understanding of fungal biology and cultivation techniques laid the foundation for M2’s commitment to excellence.
Dr. Sandra Carter, M.A. MPH, Ph.D
A renowned figure in preventative medicine and healthcare, Dr. Carter possessed a wealth of knowledge about human health and the role of natural remedies in optimizing well-being. Her expertise in understanding the human body and its needs brought a vital perspective to M2’s development.
A Serendipitous Meeting
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Mastery of Mycology + Human Health
The seeds of M2 were sown at a preventative medicine conference where Steve and Sandra first met. As they discussed their respective fields, a realization dawned upon them: their combined expertise—Steve’s mastery of mushroom cultivation and Sandra’s deep understanding of human health—could revolutionize the functional mushroom industry. They envisioned a company that could bridge the gap between traditional mycology and modern healthcare, bringing the power of these ancient organisms to a wider audience.
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Modernizing Functional Mushrooms
Scientific Validation: M2 is committed to rigorous research and evidence-based product development.
Quality and Food Safety: We prioritize the highest quality ingredients and cultivation practices.
Innovation: We drive advancements in the functional mushroom industry through continuous innovation.-
Scientific Validation
M2 is committed to rigorous research and evidence-based product development.
Quality and food safety: We prioritize the highest quality ingredients and cultivation practices.
Innovation: We drive advancements in the functional mushroom industry through continuous innovation.
BORN OF SHARED VISION & COMMITMENT TO EXCELLENCE
OUR JOURNEY
M2 Ingredients was born from a powerful combination: a passion for mycology, expertise for mushroom cultivation, and a commitment to preventative health. This unique blend of expertise has propelled us to become North America’s largest grower of functional mushrooms, setting a standard for the industry. We’ve stayed true to our founding principles, building state-of-the-art, certified organic facilities and investing in rigorous scientific research. Our commitment to uncompromising quality is evident in our adherence to the highest standards within the sector. At M2 Ingredients, we deliver the highest quality, most effective mushroom ingredients, backed by both deep-rooted knowledge and cutting-edge science.
M2 Ingredients, originally founded as Mushroom Matrix by Dr. Sandra Carter and mycologist Steve Farrar, was built on a foundation of quality, science, and with the promise of growing the best and most efficacious mushrooms.
As pioneers in the functional mushroom space, M2 Ingredients was among the first to achieve USDA Organic Certification. We believe that producing products that are both beneficial for consumers and sustainable for the planet is fundamental to our mission.
We rebranded from Mushroom Matrix to ‘M2 Ingredients’ to represent our expansion and leadership in the functional ingredient space. Mushroom Matrix now lives on as a fantastic pet and equine care brand, created by our original founders.
Our mushrooms were first used in a large multinational supplement brand, putting functional mushrooms on the map for supplement, food, and beverage brands.
Moved into a new growing location – quadrupling our capacity.
We published our first clinical trial on Cordyceps, which demonstrated that a 4-gram daily dose of a blend containing Cordyceps militaris for three weeks significantly improved physiological markers of aerobic performance.
A BRCGS AA rating, which M2 Ingredients achieved in 2020, signifies top-tier quality and rigorous food safety standards, crucial for customer confidence in our functional mushrooms.
We opened our new, high-capacity, 155,000 sq ft facility in Vista, CA – making us the LARGEST FUNCTIONAL MUSHROOM GROWER IN THE WESTERN HEMISPHERE. This cutting-edge facility operates around the clock with multiple shifts, ensuring consistent production and rapid order fulfillment, delivering greater capacity and quality than ever before.
M2 Ingredients has expanded its product line to include Regenerative Organic Certified SKUs. This certification signifies a commitment beyond traditional organic standards, requiring products to meet the highest benchmarks for organic production while prioritizing environmental regeneration and social fairness.
LEADERSHIP
M2 Ingredients is driven by a strong leadership committed to advancing functional mushroom wellness.
Dr. Sandra Carter, Founder
Dr. Sandra Carter, M.A., MPH, Ph.D., is a leading expert in sports performance, disease prevention, and integrative medicine. As Co-Founder of M2 Ingredients, she translates her extensive preventative health background into producing innovative whole food mushroom products. Dr. Carter’s passion for optimizing human health through diet, exercise, and natural approaches drives her to create efficacious solutions that support peak performance and overall well-being.
Jeffrey A. Rogers, CEO
Bringing over three decades of executive leadership experience across diverse industries, including nutraceuticals, pharmaceuticals, and specialty chemicals, Jeff Rogers joins M2 Ingredients as CEO. Most recently, he served as CEO of Pharmachem Innovations. His ability to drive growth through strategic partnerships, operational efficiency, and team collaboration will be invaluable as M2 Ingredients moves into its next phase of growth.
Shaun Richmond, SVP of Sales
Shaun has been leading commercial teams for some of the most innovative companies in the natural ingredient industry for over two decades. He has spent time in small start-ups to large multinationals, working with international farming communities and supply chains, to penetrate new geographies with novel products.
Dr. Julie Daoust, BSc, PhD, Chief Science Officer
Joining M2 Ingredients in 2022, Dr. Julie Daoust leads a team of talented scientists including mycologists, chemists, food scientists, and quality assurance professionals. Under her leadership, M2 Ingredients has grown its mycology team to be the largest in the industry, solidifying its commitment to cutting-edge research and development. With a distinguished career developing nutritional products for leading brands, Dr. Daoust leverages her expertise in natural product chemistry, whole food nutrition, and mycology to create the most effective mushroom formulations available. Her commitment to research drives innovation at M2 Ingredients, ensuring their product offerings continue to deliver cutting-edge nutritional solutions.
OUR COMMITMENT
M2 Ingredients is committed to:
- Maintaining the highest standards of transparency and integrity.
- Driving evidence-based innovation in the functional mushroom industry.
- Delivering high-quality, science-based products that support overall health and wellness.
We are focused on a future that prioritizes wellness, innovation, and integrity, ensuring that M2 Ingredients continues to lead the way in the functional mushroom ingredients industry.
