FORT SIMPSON (June 6, 2014) – Open houses supported by Industry, Tourism and Investment (ITI) are positioning Dehcho Region residents to take advantage of economic opportunities that may arise from harvesting morel mushrooms.

A strong morel mushroom crop is expected this season in areas of the Dehcho Region that burned during last summer’s forest fires. As they cannot be cultivated in a commercial environment, the market for this gourmet food is very competitive and mushrooms grown in the NWT are expected to command high prices in national and international markets.

Residents attending these workshops will receive training and hands-on demonstrations from contracted experts. The instructors will address the varying aspects of a successful morel mushroom harvest including industry-favoured techniques for harvesting, drying and marketing of mushrooms. 

“Increasing the amount of local foods produced, harvested and sold in the NWT contributes to employment, investment and economic activity,” Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment David Ramsay notes. “As we approach the prime picking season for morels and other species of wild mushrooms in the NWT, we are ensuring that residents and organizations are equipped with the knowledge and skills to take advantage of the opportunities that this unique harvest may bring.”

Daily open house events will take place at the Sambaa Deh Falls Day Use Area outside of Fort Simpson up to and including June 8. Residents of Wrigley can attend open houses at the River Between Two Mountains Wayside Park on the highway to Wrigley on June 11-15, 2014.

The Department of ITI is also coordinating additional opportunities with local Aboriginal governments and organizations.

The advancement of local food production as a means of economic opportunity is an identified priority in the NWT Economic Opportunities Strategy and in the Government of the Northwest Territories’ (GNWT) current work to develop an Agriculture Strategy for the NWT.

For more information:

Michael Mageean
Regional Superintendent, Dehcho
Industry, Tourism and Investment
Government of the Northwest Territories
Tel: 867-695-7520