Are you a vegan or just miss the taste of jerky? Try mushroom jerky from the Ukrainian brand GribLan! 

This safe food product is a great alternative to meat. A unique recipe and delicate drying allow you to leave the maximum amount of useful elements in the mushrooms. And the variety of flavors - from natural seasonings, by the way - make the dish special on gourmet menus.

The founder of the GribLan brand, Iryna Karpenko, spoke to It's Craft about making jerky as a gastronomic art and growing mushrooms as a social cause.

Exclusive snack in the Ukrainian tradition

To preserve the environment and popularize the artificial cultivation of mushrooms. Inspired by this mission, in 2008, Iryna Karpenko founded a mushroom farm in the village of Sloboda, Chernihiv Region, where she began producing mycelium (mushroom "seeds") and growing mushrooms from it. In 2020, due to the coronavirus epidemic, the company faced sales difficulties. Markets were closed and fresh produce was difficult to sell. So Iryna decided to process mushrooms. And not to preserve or dry them, as this would require additional cooking, but to dried them so that the product was ready for consumption. That's how GribLan, a Ukrainian brand of mushroom jerky that tastes natural and is stored for a long time, was born. 

Jerkas, or snacks, are an exclusive snack prepared in the Ukrainian tradition. The mushrooms are grown on wheat straw, picked by hand and seasoned with natural spices: salt, pepper, sesame seeds or even horseradish. In addition, only mushroom caps are used for drying. 

The GribLan brand is a family affair. Iryna brought her husband, daughter, and friend into the partnership. Ivan is responsible for the technical equipment of the production, Iryna herself is responsible for its technology, her friend Alla is responsible for processing raw materials, and her daughter Nelly is responsible for marketing the finished products. GribLan is also a social enterprise.

"When our farm became a recognizable snack brand, we thought about increasing production. We needed extra hands," says Iryna. "We turned to the locals for help. We offered the villagers to produce raw materials for us. We provide mycelium for growing mushrooms for free. And the straw in which oyster mushrooms grow is already available in every household. We train people, advise and supervise them. And then we buy ready-made raw materials from them. As a result, the company receives high-quality and environmentally friendly products, and the villagers have an opportunity to earn money. 

We have an idea to engage IDPs temporarily residing in Chernihiv region. This will be an additional income for them now, and when they return home, they will be able to continue their mushroom business there."  


War as an impetus for development

In 2022, the villages of Chernihiv Region were among the first to suffer from a large-scale russian invasion. The Ivanivka territorial community, where Iryna's mushroom farm is located, was under occupation for almost a month. Enemy troops were stationed in Sloboda. They damaged the production shop and stole some things from it. Because of the shelling, cracks appeared in the roof of the building and it leaked. There were no windows in the room where people gathered for training - they were smashed out by the debris. 

Rebuilding what was destroyed is the number one task for the near future, says Iryna. And she is doing everything possible to make it happen as soon as possible. 

In 2023, the entrepreneur took part in the Vidvazhna (Brave) acceleration program, which was launched for Ukrainian women who had founded a micro or small business or only dreamed of starting their own business. Iryna's business concept for the production of dried mushrooms received funding for implementation as one of the six best ideas of the program. She also received money from the Dreams in Action project, a program that supports social entrepreneurship founded by women affected by war. 

"We have a lot of ideas, and there are no competitors in Ukraine," laughs Iryna. "We want to produce dried mushrooms in oil. Mushroom paste is like a tomato, you know. And mushroom popcorn - the mushrooms are so crispy, puffed up, without preservatives and without dyes." 

GribLan also plans to cooperate with volunteers who assemble food packages for vegan soldiers and add mushroom jerky to the food packages.

"Our goal is to make people responsible for their food consumption," says Iryna. "For example, in my family we organize a so-called Green Monday. This is when once a week a person gives up animal food and eats only vegetable food, including the mushroom jerkies we offer. Mushrooms are a great substitute for meat. They are an alternative to meat because they are high in protein. And they taste the same as meat. We invite everyone we know to join the initiative, and they tell their friends. This is how word of mouth carries our idea to people. We don't write about it anywhere, but we consistently promote the reduction of animal food. It's not hard to stick to it for one day. But it is useful for both the body and the planet. Because if people consume more plant-based foods, fewer animals will be killed, and therefore less land will be used for pasture. 

We need to learn how to build the world around us. And do it consciously".

Iryna SHATALOVA