Pursue of Happiness
Our Story
Founded at the end of 2017 by Mei Shao, an architect, Sunny Oaks Farm began as a personal journey to reconnect with nature and rediscover her passion for wholesome homegrown food after years in the demanding corporate world.
What began with collecting and inoculating oyster mushroom strains from a family friend has grown into a thriving mushroom farm in Sycamore, Illinois. Today, our “Nature’s Superfood” products have expanded beyond mushrooms and are deeply woven into Chicagoland’s local food system.
As we continue to grow, our mission remains simple: to provide nutritious, locally grown “Nature’s Superfood,” strengthen our regional food network, and support the health, happiness, and well-being of the communities we serve.
Like every meaningful journey, the path has been filled with everything imaginable — excitement, passion, uncertainty, setbacks, first customers, first deliveries, long nights, and small victories that meant the world. We experienced the fire, the pressure, the risks, and the joy of building something from nothing. Through countless trials and errors, we kept learning, adapting, failing, and trying again.
But through it all, we never lost faith in the journey. We truly enjoy the process of building, growing, and becoming. And we believe that with persistence, heart, and love for what we do, Sunny Oaks Farm will continue to grow, thrive, and flourish for years to come.
Our Products
Our main products include a wide variety of mushrooms, ranging from shiitake, oyster, and lion’s mane mushrooms to specialty varieties such as wood ear, maitake, and morel mushrooms, offered in various forms and packaging options. Our products are available throughout Chicagoland in retail grocery stores, restaurants, and other food service markets.
Besides mushrooms, we also grow and offer microgreens, ginger, herbs, vegetables, and even flowers. Our product line continues to expand as we strive to meet the increasing demand for fresh, healthy, and locally grown food.
Our Farming Practices
At Sunny Oaks Farm, we believe in sustainable farming practices that support both environmental responsibility and the production of healthy, high-quality food. Our farming methods focus on energy sustainability, waste reduction, and natural growing practices.
We have adopted composting and recycling systems designed to create a near zero-waste operation, helping reduce energy consumption and environmental impact while improving soil and crop health. We grow our products using natural fertilizers and environmentally conscious practices, with minimal chemical use, to provide fresh and healthy food for our community.
Through continuous research and innovation, we remain committed to building a more sustainable and resilient local food system.