Next Wednesday (March 30, 2016) is Whole Grain Sampling Day, a day for everyone, everywhere, to try more whole grains! If you’re looking for a way to celebrate, try out one (or more) of the activities below:

1. Buy a new whole grain at the supermarket. Whole Grain Sampling Day is the perfect time to branch out of your comfort zone, and try a new-to-you whole grain or whole grain product (like buckwheat pancake mix, teff flour, or amaranth). From ShopRite, to Hy-Vee, to Whole Foods, and beyond, many supermarkets are offering samples of whole grain products, demoing whole grain recipes, and even offering whole grain store tours. For a list of participating stores, see here.

2.  Get Inspired by a whole grain cookbook. Cooking Light’s new book, Everyday Whole Grains, was just released yesterday, and is the perfect inspiration for when you’re stuck in a cooking rut, but are eager to try new whole grain recipes. Other favorites from the past year include Simply Ancient Grains, by Maria Speck, The Whole Grain Promise, by Robin Asbell, and Grains as Mains, by Jodi Moreno and Sarah W. Caron.

3.  Pack a grain salad for lunch. Grain salads are the perfect, hearty lunchbox meal, for both kids and adults alike. Quinoa, farro, and wild rice are some of our favorite whole grains to enjoy chilled, although a warm brown rice pilaf or sorghum-and-curry bowl are comforting dishes to break up a chilly day at the office or school building. For ideas, see some of our top suggestions for whole grain food pairings here. 

4.  Enter to win whole grains. Some of our favorite whole grain makers, including Bob’s Red Mill, Hodgson Mill, and Lundberg Family Farms, are offering special whole grain giveaways for Whole Grain Sampling Day. Check out their social media pages to learn more.

5.  Bake whole grain goodies with your kids. Kids love helping out in the kitchen, so letting them act as sous chefs for whole grain baked goods is the perfect way to get them master this delicious and nutritious food group. See our recipe page for ideas.

6.  Share on social media when you #SampleWholeGrains. Keep up with our whole grain adventures on Facebook (/OldwaysPT), Twitter (@OldwaysPT), Instagram (@Oldways_PT), and our blogs (Oldways Table and Whole Grains Council), and be sure to use our hashtag when you #samplewholegrains. Those that particpate in our Twitter Party (2-3:00pm ET on March 30) will even have a chance to win a new whole grain cookbook. For our local Boston friends, we will also be taking over the @OnlyinBOS Snapchat next week (Monday, March 28)!

7.  Sample a new whole grain at a restaurant. Some restaurants, like Mei Mei in Boston, will have a special whole grain menu item, while others, such as New England burrito chain Boloco, will offer tasting cups of their whole grains. Across the world, popular restaurants will also be Tweeting about their whole grain options, including California Pizza Kitchen and Corner Bakery Café, so be sure to heed their suggestions and order a delicious new whole grain! For more on participating restaurants, see here.

8.  Make a stir fry with brown rice, millet, or sorghum. Brown rice is an easy swap in stir fries, but we also like tossing sweet and spicy chicken and veggies with other hearty whole grains, like chewy, pearl-like sorghum, or fluffy, buttery millet. In fact, the experts at America’s Test Kitchen tell us that, from a culinary science perspective, whole grains like brown rice are actually better suited for stir fries than white rice. 

9.  Donate whole grains to a local food pantry. This week, pick up a couple of extra whole grain groceries, such as whole wheat bread, instant brown rice, quinoa crackers, or whole grain pasta, and donate them to a local food pantry. You can also host a whole grain themed food drive at your school, workplace, or church.

10.  Show us Your Whole Grain Skills. Already a bona fide whole grain enthusiast? Upload a whole grain cooking demo to YouTube and inspire others to get in the kitchen and create. You can also post your favorite whole grain recipe to Facebook, Instagram, or your blog. Just don’t forget to let your fans know that March 30 is Whole Grain Sampling Day! #samplewholegrains