The Mid-Atlantic Grain Fair is a free, family-friendly event that celebrates the Mid-Atlantic region’s vibrant history of local grain growing, milling, and baking. There will be a classroom with grain cooking demonstrations and tastings, live milling demonstrations at Peirce Mill, and a farmers’ market with regional grain fare. The event will feature music, arts, and crafts, along with fun, hands-on activities—see more details below!
This event is a great opportunity to meet local grain farmers and millers and learn about the variety of modern and indigenous grains that have been enjoyed for thousands of years in our region.
This event is a collaboration between Common Grain Alliance and Friends of Peirce Mill.
Mid-Atlantic Grain Classroom Schedule
Pasta Making, 10:00 – 11:15 am: Led by CGA member and pasta-making expert Gabriel Key, participants will watch a hands-on pasta-making demonstration and learn the skills to shape pasta by hand at home.
Tortilla Making, 11:30 – 12:30 pm: Join Yolanda Alcorta of Raices Culturales Latinoamericanas to learn about masa milling, tortilla shaping and preparation.
Orchard Walk and Soil Health Discussion, 1 – 1:30 pm: A tour of the orchard at Pierce Mill with Tim Makepeace, the Friends of Peirce Mill Orchardist, along with a discussion on the connection between small grains, soil health and human health with the VA Soil Health Coalition.
Pizza Making, 1:30 – 2:45 pm: Meet Charbel Abrache, former Seylou head pastry chef and founder of Red Hound Pizza, to learn the secrets to pizza-making using local grains.
Bread Talk & Tasting, 3 – 4 pm: Join Chris Girardot of RavenHook Bakehouse for a talk about baking with Mid-Atlantic grains while sampling RavenHook products.
Shoemaker Street Market Farmers and Producers:
Mid-Atlantic Grain Stand: Shop a variety of local grains and flours from eleven different CGA members! This grain stand is operated in partnership between CGA & FRESHFARM.
MORE MISU: MISU translates to “rice water” in Korean, but it’s much more than that. This CGA member soaks, steams, dehydrates, roasts, grinds & mixes 5 different grains for exact periods of time to create this drinkable meal.
Zeke’s Coffee: Small batch, family-owned coffee roastery based in Baltimore, MD. Coffee & beans will be available for purchase.
Maracas Ice Pops: Enjoy frozen Mexican ice pops, try the Horchata flavor made with oats from CGA member Purple Mountain Grown!
Maple & Rye Bakery: A new addition to the Brunswick neighborhood, CGA member Maple & Rye will provide local & seasonal whole grain pastries.
Eastern National/Friends of Peirce Mill: Shop merchandise from Friends of Pierce Mill to support our local parks.
El Solosito: Tacos and pupusas available for purchase.
Breadfurst: This James Beard award-winning bakery will offer a variety of breads, breakfast pastries and desserts.
Fireside Farm: CGA member Fireside Farm grows veggies and wheat to make sourdough pizzas featuring seasonal ingredients.