On Oct. 10, Fungi Perfecti (Olympia, WA), makers of the Host Defense Mushrooms line, announced it received official certification as a Leading Living Wage Employer by Living Wage For US.

According to the Global Living Wage Coalition, a living wage is defined as “the remuneration received for a standard workweek by a worker in a particular place sufficient to afford a decent standard of living for the worker and their family.”

Leading Living Wage Employers must provide compensation that ensures their employees can obtain adequate food, water, housing, health care, transportation, education and clothing—among other essentials—while providing a cushion for unexpected expenses. Unlike legal minimum wage, which often falls short of real-world living costs, the living wage is independently calculated every year, the company said.

In 2024, Fungi Perfecti partnered with Living Wage for US to undergo a comprehensive evaluation of its total compensation package—including base pay, company-sponsored medical benefits, 401(k) retirement plans and matching contributions, discretionary bonuses and commission structures, the company said.

The analysis confirmed that Fungi Perfecti’s compensation model exceeds the living wage thresholds across all its positions.

“Paying a living wage is about dignity, equity and integrity. We’re proud of this commitment,” said Shanna Brown, vice president of people at Fungi Perfecti.

For more information, visit www.hostdefense.com or www.livingwageforus.org.