Wild Mushroom Food Safety Certification | Rhode Island | Oct. 24–25, 2026

Earn your 5-year Wild Mushroom Food Safety Certification and gain the training required to legally identify wild-foraged mushrooms for sale in participating states.

This two-day certification course is designed for foragers, farmers, market vendors, chefs, food professionals, mushroom educators, naturalists, and anyone who wants to take their wild mushroom identification skills to a professional level.

Successful participants receive a 5-year certification recognized in multiple states, including South Carolina, North Carolina, Georgia, Virginia, Alabama, Pennsylvania, New York, and Rhode Island.

What You’ll Receive

Your registration includes:

• Two full days of professional wild mushroom identification training
• Detailed study guides and course slides
• Training in approved edible wild mushroom species
• Food-safety and regulatory guidance for selling wild-foraged mushrooms
• On-site certification examination
• 5-year Wild Mushroom Food Safety Certification upon successful completion

Registered participants will receive study guides and slide materials by email approximately one month before class, giving you time to prepare before the course.

All examinations are administered in person during the class.

Rhode Island Course Details

October 24–25, 2026

Saturday & Sunday
9:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Location

Johnson & Wales University – Harborside Campus
The Friedman Building, Rooms 154 & 155
315 Harborside Blvd
Providence, RI

Training will take place on Johnson & Wales University’s Harborside Campus overlooking Narragansett Bay. The campus is home to JWU’s College of Food Innovation & Technology, one of the country’s leading culinary and food-focused higher education programs, with nearly 40 kitchen and culinary science labs, a campus library, student residences, and the Culinary Arts Museum.

Parking

Parking passes will be provided for outside guests. Registered participants will receive additional parking instructions before the class.

Who Is This Course For?

This course is a great fit for:

• Wild mushroom foragers
• Farmers and market vendors
• Chefs and food professionals
• Mushroom educators
• Naturalists and outdoor enthusiasts
• Anyone interested in legally selling wild-foraged mushrooms

Previous mushroom identification experience is helpful, but you do not need to be a professional mycologist to attend.

Participants should be prepared to study the course materials before attending, as the certification examination requires a strong working knowledge of the mushrooms covered in the program.

Class Size & Registration

Class size is limited to 40 participants.

Because this is a professional certification course involving advance study materials, instructor preparation, and regulatory requirements, registrations are non-refundable.

If an emergency prevents you from attending, please contact us. When possible, we may be able to transfer your registration to a future certification session.

Your 5-Year Certification

Participants who successfully complete the course and pass the examination will receive a 5-year Wild Mushroom Food Safety Certification.

The certification covers wild mushroom identification, food safety, recordkeeping, and the regulatory responsibilities associated with selling wild-foraged mushrooms.

Each state maintains its own rules regarding approved species, labeling, recordkeeping, and sales requirements. Always follow the regulations for the state where the mushrooms will be sold.

Approved Wild Mushrooms by State

Approved species vary from state to state.

Rhode Island, for example, has specific approved species as well as requirements for harvest logs, tracking numbers on boxes and invoices, and record retention by restaurants.

Before selling wild mushrooms, always verify the current requirements for your state.

View Approved Wild Mushrooms by State →
https://mushroommountain.com/approved-mushrooms-by-state/

Instructor

Christine Gagnon

Christine Gagnon was first introduced to edible wild mushrooms as a child in Quebec, but her focused study of mushroom identification began in 2018, when she immersed herself in fungal taxonomy, ecology, and safe identification practices.

Christine holds a degree in Art Education from the Massachusetts College of Art and brings her teaching background into the world of mushroom education.

She is the founder of Uncanoonuc Foraging Company, where she leads group and private foraging walks across multiple states, introducing participants to the fascinating world of culinary mushrooms. She is also a co-founder of NH Myco Weekend, a regional gathering for mushroom enthusiasts and educators.

Her teaching philosophy centers on humility, curiosity, and community: no matter how much one knows, there is always more to learn—and always someone who can teach us something new.

Christine lives in New Hampshire with her husband Paul, a potter, and their two dogs. She is the mother of three adult children and is enjoying life as an empty nester.

Her work has been featured on NH Chronicle, NHPR, NPR’s Here and Now, Diary of a Nation Podcast, and The Hippo.

Before You Arrive

Registered participants will receive course materials and additional instructions by email before class.

Please plan to:

• Review your study materials before attending
• Attend both days of the certification course
• Arrive no more than 15 minutes before class unless otherwise instructed
• Bring any requested course materials
• Complete the certification examination on site

Recognition in Other States

This certification may also be considered by additional states that have adopted food-safety policies allowing approved wild mushroom identification programs.

Acceptance is determined by the appropriate state or local food-safety authority. States interested in recognizing Mushroom Mountain’s certification program may contact us for program documentation and review.

Questions?

Not sure whether this certification is recognized where you live or where you plan to sell mushrooms?

Contact Mushroom Mountain before registering and we’ll help you determine whether this course is appropriate for your state.