RESPONSIBLE FORAGING

Respect Begins Before the Harvest

Chaga is not a conventional crop. It is a wild forest ingredient that develops over time in relationship with living trees and the surrounding ecosystem.

That makes responsible sourcing more than a purchasing decision. It requires knowledge, patience, traceability and respect for the land.

Fung-Ctional works with experienced foragers who understand Northern Ontario’s forests and share our commitment to cautious, selective harvesting. Our goal is not to take everything available. It is to build a more considered supply chain that values long-term forest stewardship.

Our Foraging Standard

Map Three

Before one chaga conk is selected for harvest, additional chaga-bearing trees are identified and mapped.

Mapping helps our network better understand where chaga is present and discourages indiscriminate harvesting from every tree encountered.

Harvest One

Only one of the mapped chaga conks is selected for harvesting.

This intentionally selective approach reduces immediate harvesting pressure within a given area and encourages our foragers to consider the broader forest—not only the ingredient directly in front of them.

Leave at Least 30%

Our foragers leave at least 30% of the selected chaga conk in place.

We do not describe any wild-harvesting method as impact-free. Leaving a portion behind is part of our cautious approach to reducing disturbance and avoiding unnecessary removal.

MAP THREE. HARVEST ONE. LEAVE AT LEAST 30%.

Knowledge Matters

Responsible chaga foraging begins with accurate identification.

Our foragers consider:

• The identity and condition of the host tree
• The appearance and structure of the conk
• Land access and harvesting permission
• The surrounding forest environment
• Whether harvesting is appropriate at that location
• How to remove the selected portion with minimal additional disturbance

Chaga can be confused with other dark growths, wounds and fungi found on trees. Experience matters, which is why we prioritize relationships with knowledgeable foragers rather than encouraging untrained collection.

Supporting Northern Communities

Our forager network also creates opportunities for people living in rural and northern communities to participate in our supply chain.

Local knowledge has value. Through direct relationships, we aim to recognize the experience involved in locating, identifying and responsibly collecting a wild forest ingredient.

This allows Fung-Ctional to remain connected to the region where our company was built while developing greater visibility into how our chaga is sourced.

Traceability over Volume

We are building our sourcing model around relationships—not anonymous bulk purchasing.

Working with a trusted network helps us:

• Communicate our standards directly
• Understand where our chaga comes from
• Encourage selective collection
• Maintain consistency as we grow
• Support people who share our respect for the forest

Growth should never require abandoning the values that made the ingredient meaningful in the first place.

A Practice We Continue to Refine

Responsible sourcing is not a finished achievement or a permanent badge. It is an ongoing practice.

As Fung-Ctional grows, we will continue reviewing our sourcing policies, learning from experienced foragers and improving how we document our supply chain.

We believe premium products begin long before formulation. They begin with how ingredients are found, handled and respected.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is all visible chaga harvested?

No. Our standard is intentionally selective: map three chaga-bearing trees, harvest from one and leave at least 30% of the selected conk.

Does Fung-Ctional encourage customers to forage for chaga?

Chaga identification and wild harvesting require experience, appropriate land access and an understanding of the forest environment. We recommend learning directly from qualified local experts rather than relying on photographs alone.

Is responsible foraging impact-free?

No wild harvest is entirely without impact. Our standards are designed to reduce unnecessary harvesting pressure and encourage cautious decision-making.

Where is your chaga sourced?

Our chaga is sourced through relationships with experienced foragers in Northern Ontario.