Mushrooms and popsicles may seem like an unlikely pair, yet they come together in a way that’s redefining what we expect from desserts. What began as an innovative solution for an abundance of mushrooms has blossomed into one of the most enjoyable ways to get your daily dose of fungi. Meet Santa Cruz Fungi, the California-based company that turned their passion for mushrooms into an unexpected treat that has quickly become a local sensation.
Shroomsicles™: The coolest way to enjoy mushrooms
Santa Cruz Fungi, founded by Katie Sarna and Paul Lazazzera, began as a small mushroom farm that produced more mushrooms than they knew what to do with. Rather than letting them go to waste, they began searching for creative ways to repurpose their surplus.
The pair attempted everything, “from cultivating plastic-eating mushrooms to offering rare culinary varieties and developing beneficial bee food with mushroom extracts to combat colony collapse disorder.”
As they brainstormed, Katie and Paul saw an opportunity to create a treat that made mushrooms and their health benefits enjoyable to everyone—even those who typically avoid them due to their taste and texture. Thus, Shroomsicles™ was born, offering all the nutritional benefits of mushrooms in a way that’s both delicious and refreshing.
Flavor meets function
Shroomsicles™ are far from your average popsicle—they’re the perfect blend of health and indulgence created with a base of either creamy cashew and coconut milk-based or refreshing coconut water. There are currently nine flavors, each thoughtfully crafted to be as creative as the concept itself.
Some notable flavors include their Key Lion’s Mane Pie, which marries the classic dessert’s tart sweetness with the brain-boosting support of lion’s mane mushrooms. Or Cordy Creamsicle, which blends the tangy goodness of a traditional creamsicle with the energizing, immune-boosting effects of cordyceps fungi. They even have a dog-friendly Turkey Tail Pupsicle, so your furry friend can reap the benefits as well!
The community’s response to these delectable flavors has been a fantastic mix of surprise and satisfaction. The founders have noted that “while not everyone immediately understands what we’re trying to achieve, we never intended to convert everyone into a customer. We often wish we could capture people’s reactions—some scrunch up their faces at the idea, while others are so astonished they physically hold their faces as if trying to contain their amazement!”
Sourcing only the best ingredients
Santa Cruz Fungi understands that quality isn’t only about taste; it’s about the entire experience, from sourcing ingredients to the final bite. And when it comes to mushrooms, quality is everything!
To ensure top quality, Santa Cruz Fungi has partnered with Far West Fungi for seasonal pops like Cotton Candy Cap and Porcini Pumpkin Pie. The porcini comes from a blend of local foraging and Far West’s supply. For the Cordy Creamsicle and other functional mushroom-based flavors, they rely on Nammex, one of the most trusted specialists in functional mushrooms, to maintain consistency and superior quality across the entire Shroomsicles™ product line.
But their dedication to ethical sourcing goes beyond mushrooms. The Chaga-olate shroomsicles, for instance, use organic cocoa powder from Equal Exchange, a worker-owned cooperative that supports small-scale farmers in the Dominican Republic through fair trade practices. The Tremella LeMatcha shroomsicles feature exceptional matcha sourced from Rishi Tea & Botanicals, which supports organic agriculture and small family farms in Japan.
Their collaboration with Verve Coffee Roasters ensures that the coffee used in the Chagaccino pops is sourced through direct trade. Bee Seasonal provides them with premium organic honey, responsibly harvested from Brazil’s biodiverse Atlantic Forest. The honey is GMO and pesticide-free and produced with a focus on environmental health and sustainable beekeeping practices.
Even the coconut-based ingredients in their products are sourced ethically from suppliers who adhere to strict standards, including the prohibition of monkey labor. And their best-selling Strawberry Lion’s Mint flavor is made with fresh mint from Sea to Sky Farm in the Santa Cruz Mountains, supporting local agriculture and ensuring the freshest possible taste.
A commitment to sustainability
Santa Cruz Fungi has long prioritized environmental responsibility, a value deeply rooted in their farming days and now central to their popsicle production. Their approach to sustainability is grounded in a realistic understanding that true corporate sustainability—a perfect balance of taking only as much as you can give back – is often more idealistic than realistic in today’s day and age.
“What businesses can genuinely achieve, however, is corporate responsibility, acknowledging their impact and striving relentlessly to mitigate it,” explains the founders.
To this end, Santa Cruz Fungi has implemented several measures to reduce their environmental impact, such as using home compostable packaging made from FSC-certified wood-cellulose bioplastic and labels that break down in months. They also repurpose upcycled boxes from a local dental floss company in San Jose for their wholesale packs, reducing waste and promoting sustainability at every level of their operation.
Putting the “fun” in fungi
Santa Cruz Fungi hasn’t only redefined how many people view mushrooms now—they’ve brought a sense of fun to the table. The team is always looking for new ways to engage their community and share their love for fungi.
“We’re thrilled to be vending at UCSC this Fall and can’t wait to share our Shroomsicles with the campus community,” they shared. But that’s just the start. They’re already hard at work developing an exciting new flavor featuring the powerhouse mushroom, reishi. “We’re on the lookout for local testers, so stay tuned for that!”
On top of that, they’ve got a new vending truck in the works—an adorable meter maid mini truck they’re transforming for the 2025 season. And for those looking to grow their own fungi, they’re planning to host another mushroom cultivation class at Mountain Feed and Farm Supply in Ben Lomond, CA.
With so many exciting projects on the horizon, Santa Cruz Fungi is proving that mushrooms aren’t just super nutritious—they’re fun, flavorful, and full of surprises!
To learn more about Santa Cruz Fungi, follow them on Instagram and sign up for their newsletter on their website, scfungi.com.
