WATSONVILLE, CA - Cultivating trust with retail partners, foodservice operators, and consumers is a difficult line to walk, but it’s one that Monterey Mushrooms does with ease. Recently honored with the 2025 Besties Award for Best Educational Videos, the provider’s enthusiasm for telling our industry’s story is woven across its strategy.

Lindsey Occhipinti, Marketing Manager, took a moment to share some comments with me about the company’s educational marketing strategy.

“We’re passionate about educating our customers and consumers about the unique aspects of our business that often go beyond what’s commonly known,” Lindsey remarked. “By sharing insights into our processes, we aim to build stronger relationships and greater trust with everyone who enjoys our products.”

In 2024, Monterey Mushrooms updated its video library with two new educational videos. The videos were the passion projects of Lindsey and Bruce Knobeloch, the former Vice President of Product Development and Marketing. Through collaboration, the two researched the ideas that brought the following to life based on their belief and commitment that we have a global recycling problem, worthy of solving.

The first video dove into the ways in which Monterey Mushrooms is enhancing the recyclability of its mushroom packaging. The use of 100% post-consumer recycled PET (rPET) with near-infrared (NIR) sortable colorant helps reduce plastic waste and support a more circular economy. Not only did this change ensure that Monterey Mushrooms’ packaging would be efficiently sorted and recycled, but it also reflected the company’s commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship.

The second video was an interview-style video between Jeremy Glenn, the General Manager of Madisonville Mushroom Farms, and Lindsey, in which the fascinating world of mushroom cultivation was brought to life.

“We dedicate resources to research and development so we can continually raise the bar in every area of our work—from product quality to sustainability and transparency,” Lindsey added. “Our commitment means you can count on us to deliver the very best mushrooms while also caring for our planet and openly sharing how we do it. We believe that well-informed customers make better choices, and we’re proud to be part of that journey.”

As the company has shared in the past, it cultivates more than just a meal; it’s nurturing a sustainable future.

A heartfelt thank you to our Besties Committee for your time, dedication, and insight. Your contributions are deeply valued. Each year, our team compiles the Besties ballot with nominations across all award categories, and our committee votes to determine the winners.

This year, the committee voted on every category except Retailer of the Year, Best Marketer to Work With, and the Lifetime Achievement Award—three honors selected by our leadership team due to their special significance.

I raise my hat to Monterey Mushrooms for its well-deserved win and look forward to what the company will bring to market next!