Whole Grain Sampling Day (WGSD) is a day to try healthy whole grains. In past years, tasting events have taken place across the country in hundreds of locations and online. This year was like no other any of us has experienced. Because many events were cancelled or postponed, we encouraged everyone, everywhere to join us online as we spent the day discussing ways to taste, use, and benefit from whole grains. Though we were practicing social distancing, Whole Grain Sampling Day continued to be an opportunity to bring us together.
Please be aware that many of the events listed below were cancelled or postponed. 
Whole Grain Sampling Day 2020 Map

Whole Grain Sampling Day is the day when our participating partners all plan their own activities and promotions, and each one is different. Below, is what’s happening on or around Wednesday, March 25, 2020, partner by partner (in alphabetical order):


American Institute for Cancer Research

In celebration of Whole Grain Sampling Day, the AICR will be launching a new whole grain infographic about reducing the risk of colorectal cancer. They will also be sharing a cancer-protective whole grain recipe and encouraging their social media followers to take the Guess the Grain Quiz. 


Ammonoosuc Community Health Services

For Whole Grain Sampling Day, Ammonoosuc Community Health Services will be incorporating a “traditional whole grains” theme into their monthly community cooking show, which takes place in the café area of their community’s food cooperative (https://www.littletoncoop.com) on Tuesday, March 24.


Arizona State University

On Whole Grain Sampling Day, Arizona State University’s Sun Devil Dining will be organizing a station takeover highlighting whole grain options in the dining hall. 


Atlantic Cape Community College

Chef Annmarie Chelius will be demoing our Three Sisters Wild Rice Salad recipe in her Culture, Class and Cuisine course on Whole Grain Sampling Day.


Bakery on Main

For Whole Grain Sampling Day, Bakery on Main will be running a one-day social media giveaway on Instagram.


Best Life Ever Nutrition Services

Vicki Mines, of Best Life Ever Nutrition Services, will be highlighting and promoting whole grains on March 27 in a program that celebrates the achievements of individuals with disabilities. There will be whole grain samples available. 


Beyond Hunger

For Whole Grain Sampling Day, Beyond Hunger will feature and sample homemade granola for their food pantry clients and offer plenty of whole grain recipes for clients to take home. Their food pantry is proud to regularly offer brown rice, whole grain pasta, whole grain bread, and oatmeal. 


Big Y Foods, Inc

Select Big Y Foods locations will celebrate with special Whole Grain Sampling Day events. See store for details.

Connecticut

  • Mansfield Big Y: 141B Storrs Road, Mansfield, CT
  • Marlborough Big Y: 7 East Hampton Road, Marlborough, CT

Massachusetts

  • Norwell Big Y: 10 Washington Street, Norwell, MA
  • Norwood Big Y: 434 Walpole Street, Norwood, MA
  • Springfield Big Y: 300 Cooley Street, Springfield, MA

Blue Zones

Blue Zones will be sharing whole grain tips and content through their social media channels on Whole Grain Sampling Day. 


Boise State University

Boise State University will celebrate Whole Grain Sampling Day with food samples, nutrition information, giveaways, and interactive games. They will also be highlighting all the existing whole grain dishes on their dining hall menus. 


Boloco

Boloco will be celebrating Whole Grain Sampling Day by offering whole grain samples within their restaurants and by posting on social media. 

  • Atlantic Wharf: 284 Congress St, Boston, MA
  • Berklee College of Music: 1080 Boylston St, Boston, MA
  • Boston Common: 176 Boylston St, Boston, MA
  • Children’s Hospital: 283 Longwood Ave, Boston, MA
  • Congress Street: 50 Congress St, Boston, MA
  • Federal Street: 133 Federal St, Boston, MA
  • Hanover, NH: 35 South Main St, Hanover, NH
  • Lynnfield: 425 Market St, Lynnfield, mA

Bonnie Taub-Dix, RD

Registered Dietitian, Bonnie Taub-Dix will be sharing whole grain content via her social media channels in celebration of Whole Grain Sampling Day.


Boston College

In celebration of Whole Grain Sampling Day, BC Dining plans to organize tabling events at their three main dining halls in collaboration with the Office of Health Promotion. Both dining interns and health coaches will provide students with a trivia activity around gussing the whole grain and will distribute handouts. They will also be tasting a whole grain dish at their FRESH demo kitchen, in an effort to collaborate with their sustainability programming. 


Boston University

Boston University will be extending the Whole Grain Sampling Day fun, celebrating on Thursday, April 2. The Sargent Choice Nutrition Center and Boston University Student Ambassadors will be handing out samples of individually-packaged 100% whole grain snacks, as well as information about identifying and enjoying the benefits of whole grains. Find them in the lobby of the Geroge Sherman Union from 11am — 1pm on April 2.


Cherokee Nation A-Mo Health Center

The Cherokee Nation A-Mo Health Center will be hosting a Whole Grain Sampling Day food demonstration and taste testing event, with the goal of promoting and encouraging whole grain consumption through healthy cooking and balanced meals.


Cherokee Nation Redbird Smith Health Center

For Whole Grain Sampling Day, the Cherokee Nation Redbird Smith Health Center will be offering whole grain samples and educational materials in their outpatient clinic waiting area. 


Cherokee Nation Wilma P. Mankiller Health Center

In celebration of Whole Grain Sampling Day, the Cherokee Nation Wilma P. Mankiller Health Center will be offering whole grain samples as part of National Nutrition Month’s week 3 Cook and Prep theme.


City of Oak Harbor Wellness Committee

The City of Oak Harbor Wellness Committee will be coordinating activities to introduce the 180 Oak Harbor City employees to whole grains and to inspire them to add more whole grains to their lives. 


Consulate of Mexico in Boston

On Whole Grain Sampling Day, the Consulate of Mexico in Boston will be hosting a lecture in Spanish about whole grains. The event will include samples of whole grain recipes and will be open to the community. 


Davidson College

For Whole Grain Sampling Day, Davidson Dining Services will be highlighting whole grain menu items in Vail Commons. Guests will learn more about whole grains and experience how good they taste (and how good they are for you) throughout the day. They will have an engagement table with iPads where guests will be able to take the Guess the Grain Quiz. 


Desert Oasis Teff & Grain

In celebration of Whole Grain Sampling Day, Desert Oasis Teff & Grain will be hosting an open house and organzing a sampling of their products. 


EAC Network

The EAC Network will be hosting a nutrition workshop with both a Nutrition Month and Whole Grain Sampling Day twist. 


Ellen Kanner

In celebration of Whole Grain Sampling Day, vegan cookbook author and food writer, Ellen Kanner, will be promoting whole grain recipes via social media. 


Ellie KriegeR, RD

For Whole Grain Sampling Day, New York Times bestselling author and TV host, Ellie Krieger, will be sharing a whole grain recipe through her social media channels. 


Family Fare

Family Fare supermarkets in Omaha will be promoting Whole Grain Sampling Day on social media and will be offering whole grain demos in select stores. 


Flour Bakery

In celebration of Whole Grain Sampling Day, Flour Bakery will be posting about whole grains throug their social media channels. 


FoodCorps

FoodCorps will be promoting Whole Grain Sampling Day to all of their service members through their weekly email newsletter, to encourage service members to plan whole-grain focused events at their sites. 


George Mason University

George Mason University will be celebrating Whole Grain Sampling Day a week early on March 18th. They will be advocating for whole grains with a tabling event which will include a spin wheel educational activity and provided handouts. They will also be sharing information through their social media accounts. The dining hall will feature different whole grain options within their recipes at various stations. 


Georgia Institute of Technology

For Whole Grain Sampling Day, Georgia Tech’s campus dietitians will be collaborating with dining services to organize a tabling event, offering whole grain samples prepared by the campus chefs. They are also hoping to provide whole grain giveaways to students and employees. 


Grain Foods Foundation

The Grain Foods Foundation will be celebrating Whole Grain Sampling Day by sharing whole grain content on social media. 


Hamilton Ohio City School District

In celebration of Whole Grain Sampling Day, Hamilton City Schools will be offering samples of overnight oats in a few different flavors. They will also offer education on whole grains, and will feature special whole grain foods on their menu. 


Healthy Concepts with Pat Vasconcellos

For Whole Grain Sampling Day, Pat Vasconcellos will be promoting whole grains with her patients and offering them coupons/give-aways. She will also be promoting whole grain products with her behavioral weight loss program.


HemAtology Oncology Associates of Central New York

On Whole Grain Sampling Day, the Hematology Oncology Associates of Central New York will be hosting a sampling event for their 250+ employees. 


Hillsborough Community College

For Whole Grain Sampling Day, students in the Dietetic Technician program (in conjunction with the Culinary Managment program and Hospitality Club) will be providing educational materials and whole grain samples to students, faculty and staff at Hillsborough Community College.


Home Baking Association

In celebration of Whole Grain Sampling Day, the Home Baking Association will be promoting whole grain baking ideas and recipes through their blog. 


Hy-Vee

The Fitchburg, WI Hy-Vee will be celebrating Whole Grain Sampling Day with samples from a variety of brands featuring some fun and easy ways to get whole grains into your diet. In-store dietitian, Kacie, will be available with recipes and to answer any health or wellness questions.


International Food Information Council Foundation (IFIC) 

In celebration of Whole Grain Sampling Day, IFIC will be share facts, tips, and resources about whole grains on social media. 


Julie Harrington Consulting

Chef and RD, Julie Harrington, will be posting an informative Whole Grain Sampling Day blog post about different varieties of whole grains and recipes that include them. 


King Arthur Flour

King Arthur Flour will be promoting Whole Grain Sampling Day by posting about whole grains on social media.


Maria Speck

Maria Speck, cookbook author and Whole Grains Council culinary advisor, will be celebrating Whole Grain Sampling Day by sharing a recipe from her book, Simply Ancient Grains, on social media. 


Martin’s Food Markets — Eldersburg, MD

On Whole Grain Sampling Day, the Martin’s Food Markets location in Eldersburg will be hosting mulitple whole grain tasting stations. Customers will be able to take some products to make and try at home. A Nutritionist will be available to answer customer questions about whole grains as well. 


MBOBANJACK ENTERPRISE

For Whole Grain Sampling Day, Mbobanjack Enterprise, an agricultural importer in Gambia, will be offering special whole grain menu items to their customers. They will be highlighting delicious African foods such as local pancakes, and porridge. 


Meatless monday

For Whole Grain Sampling Day, Meatless Monday will be using social media to share meatless recipes that feature whole grains. 


Meriden Public Schools Food and Nutrition Services

In celebration of Whole Grain Sampling Day, a FoodCorps AmeriCorps Service Member at the Meriden Public Schools will be organizing a farro taste test for elementary students. 


MINUTE RICE AND SUCCESS RICE

For Whole Grain Sampling Day, Minute Rice and Success Rice plans to partner with RDs and nutritionists to showcase the variety of Minute Instant and ready-to-serve whole grain products they have available, and to demonstrate the cooking versatility of these items. 


My Pure Plants

Emese from My Pure Plants will be celebrating Whole Grain Sampling Day with a special recipe post on her blog.


NourishKC

NourishKC operates the Kansas City Community Kitchen, where they serve a hot, nutritionally-balanced lunch to about 400 food-insecure individuals every weekday. On Whole Grain Sampling Day they will be featuring at least one whole grain item on their entree menu, and they will be using table tents to communicate information about whole grains throughout the week.


Oakland Community College

On Whole Grain Sampling Day, Oakland Community College will be incorporating a variety of whole grains into their menu, including barley, wheatberries, teff, amaranth, and millet. 


Oat Shop

The Oat Shop will be sampling some of their baked goods made with whole grain oat flour in celebration of Whole Grain Sampling Day. Their bowl menu is also whole grain, made with steel cut oatmeal as the base for every flavor. 


Ohio State University

For Whole Grain Sampling Day, Ohio State University will be hosting a whole grain pop-up in one of their largest all-you-care-to-eat dining halls. Students will be able to build their own grain bowls at this pop-up station and one of the Dining Services dietitians will be there to answer questions.


Ohio State University Extension Stark County

The Stark County SNAP-Ed Program, through Ohio State University, will be hosting a whole grain sampling event as part of a SNAP Education activity at a senior living complex. 


Ohio State Univerity Extension Wayne County

The Wayne County SNAP-Ed Program, through Ohio State University, will be teaching a class to an adult audience on creative cooking with whole grains. The class will include a food demo and tasting of a whole grain bulgur dish. 


Oklahoma State University

Oklahoma State University will be organizing a whole grain sampling table on campus in celebration of Whole Grain Sampling Day. 


Palm Beach Atlantic University

For Whole Grain Sampling Day, Palm Beach Atlantic University will have a Soba Noodle Bar. Students will be able to create their own soba noodle bowl and will be provided literature on the nutritional benefits of whole grains. 


Pilgrim’s Market

Pilgrim’s Market will host a 3-hour Whole Grain Sampling Day demo celebrating whole grains with their customers. They will be promoting the event on social media and in the store. 


Practice Better

On Whole Grain Sampling Day, Maiya Ahluwalia, a private practive RD based in the Greater Toronto Area, will be sampling whole grain products and teaching her clients about the benefits of whole grains.


Schnuck Markets

Select Schnuck Market locations will be celebrating Whole Grain Sampling Day with sampling event. See stores for details. 

Illinois

  • Schnuck Market — Cherry Valley: 2206 Barnes Boulevard, Rockford, IL
  • Schnuck Market — Collinsville: 501 Belt Line Road, Collinsville, IL
  • Schnuck Market — Edwardsville: 2222 Troy Road, Edwardsville, IL
  • Schnuck Market — Savoy: 1301 Savoy Plaza Lane, Savoy, IL

Indiana

  • Schnuck Market — Newburgh: 8301 Bell Oaks Drive, Newburgh, IN

Missouri

  • Schnuck Market — Affton: 10070 Gravois Road, St. Louis, MO
  • Schnuck Market — Arsenal: 5055 Arsenal Street, St. Louis, MO
  • Schnuck Market — Brentwood: 8800 Manchester Road, St. Louis, MO
  • Schnuck Market — Butler Hill: 4333 Butler Hill Road, St. Louis, MO
  • Schnuck Market — Cross Keys: 13987 New Halls Ferry Road, Florissant, MO
  • Schnuck Market — Des Peres: 12332 Manchester Road, St. Louis, MO
  • Schnuck Market — Fenton: 45 Gravois Bluffs Plaza Drive, Fenton, MO
  • Schnuck Market — Lindenwood: 1900 First Capitol Drive, St. Charles, MO
  • Schnuck Market — Town Square: 7909 Highway North, Dardenne Prairie, MO
  • Schnuck Market — Twin Oaks: 1393 Big Bend Road, Ballwin, MO

Second Harvest Food Bank of NWPA

For Whole Grain Sampling Day, the Nutrition Educator at Second Harvest Food Bank of NWPA will be working with 10 local pantries to organize nutrition education demos that incorporate whole grains. She will be sampling whole grain products that are available in the pantries at that time.

  • Bethany Outreach Food Panty: 254 East 10th Street, Erie, PA
  • Cathedral of St. Paul Food Pantry: 134 West 7th Street, Erie, PA
  • Christian Cupboard Food Pantry: 34 Church Street, Girard, PA
  • Edinboro Food Pantry: 150 South Perry Lane, Edinboro, PA
  • First Alliance Church Food Pantry: 2939 Zimmerly Road, Erie, PA
  • Kearsarge Area Food Pantry: 2402 West Grandview Boulevard, Erie, PA
  • Northwestern Food Pantry: 1 Robb and Powell Avenue, Albion, PA
  • Our Lady of Mount Carmel Food Pantry: 1531 East Grandview Boulevard, Erie, PA
  • Sacred Heart Chruch Food Pantry: 816 West 26th Street, Erie, PA
  • Union City Food Pantry: 42 East High Street, Union City, PA

SHOPRITE

Select locations of ShopRite will celebrate with special Whole Grain Sampling Day events. See store for details.

Connecticut

  • ShopRite of Bristol: 1200 Farmington Ave & US-6, Bristol, CT
  • ShopRite of Canton: 110 Albany Turnpike, Canton, CT
  • ShopRite of Enfield: 40 Hazard Avenue, Enfield, CT
  • ShopRite of Waterbury: 943 Wolcott St, Waterbury, CT

New Jersey

  • ShopRite of Greater Morristown: 178 E Hanover Ave, Morristown, NJ
  • ShopRite of Lincoln Park: 60 Beaver Brook Rd, Lincoln Park, NJ
  • ShopRite of Marlton: 307 West Route 70, Marlton, NJ
  • ShopRite of Montague: 10 A Rt 23 Tri State Mall, Montague Township, NJ
  • ShopRite of Northvale: 246 Livingston St, Northvale, NJ
  • ShopRite of Succasunna: 281 State Route 10 E, Succasunna, NJ

New York

  • ShopRite of Middletown: 125 Dolson Ave, Middletown, NY
  • ShopRite of Vails Gate: 384 Windsor Highway, Vails Gate, NY

Pennsylvania

  • ShopRite of Daleville: 921 Drinker Turnpike, Suite 24, Covington Township, PA
  • ShopRite of Morrell Plaza: 9910 Frankford Ave, Philadelphia, PA

Silver Palate

In celebration of Whole Grain Sampling Day, Silver Palate will be providing free samples of their Grain Berry Whole Grain Cereals with ONYX® Sorghum to local schools. 


Skogen’s Festival Foods

Skogen’s Festival Foods in Wisconsin will be promoting Whole Grain Sampling Day with their customers and sharing a tasty whole grain recipe on Instagram. 


State University of New York College at Cortland

SUNY Cortland will be including a Whole Grain Sampling Day celebration as part of their National Nutrition Month event, offering nutrition information and samples of recipes containing whole grains. 


The Houstonian Club 

In celebration of Whole Grain Sampling Day, The Houstonian Club will be handing out samples of whole grains and organizing a live demonstration of different whole grain options. 


Thurston County Food Bank

In the lead-up to Whole Grain Sampling Day, Thurston County Food Bank will be working with a local student to organize a whole grain food drive. On the 25th itself, they will host a tasting event and distribute the whole grain items collected in their food drive. They will be posting about these events on their social media pages to help spread the word. 


Tri Health Cancer Institute

For Whole Grain Sampling Day, the Tri Health Cancer Institute with be engaging their employees by encouraging them to make a healthy dish with whole grains to share with their coworkers. The staff members who participate will be eligible for a raffle drawing. 


University Hospitals Otis Moss Jr. Health Center

In celebration of Whole Grain Sampling Day, the UH Otis Moss Jr. Health Center is planning several events throughout the month of March. They will be hosting an interactive “snacktivity” station in collaboration with their local WIC office in the lobby of their outpatient women and children’s clinic. They will also be organizaing store tours with product samples at the supermarket across the street. 


University of Arkansas Pulaski Technical College

On March 13, in early celebration of Whole Grain Sampling Day, Chef Mosley in the PTC Culinary Arts department will host a lesson on whole grains in her Food Production III class.


University of Connecticut

On Whole Grain Sampling Day, the University of Connecticut will be featuring a wide variety of whole grain dishes, including cran-apple barley pilaf, a brown rice and butternut squash bake, and Southwest quinoa salmon bowls. 


University of Florida’s Gator Dining

For Whole Grain Sampling Day, Gator Dining at the University of Florida will have a Soba Noodle Bar. Students will be able to create their own soba noodle bowl and will be provided literature on the nutritional benefits of whole grains. 


University of Georgia

The University of Georgia will be celebrating Whole Grain Sampling Day early, on Tuesday, March 24. They will be highlighting the daily whole grain offerings in their largest dining halls: Bolton and Village Summit. There will be stickers on the serving lines that say “I’m a Whole Grain” and they will have large displays on why students should choose whole grains, with large maps of where to find them in the dining commons. 


University of Maine Dining Services

For Whole Grain Sampling Day, Umaine Dining Services will be assembling oatmeal cups to feature a healthy whole grain breakfast option at their retail location, the Bear’s Den. At their three All-You-Care-To-Eat buildings, they will be highlighting menu items that contain whole grains with a special menu tag and accompanying information on whole grains and their benefits. 


University of Michigan

The University of Michigan will be celebrating Whole Grain Sampling Day with special whole grain items on their residential dining hall menus. They will be offering whole grain pancakes, whole grain breakfast cereals and whole grain salads that day. 


University of Montana Campus Dining

The University of Montana’s Campus Dining will be highlighting offerings across campus operations. Each location will offer different options, including whole grain pancakes, bagels, salads, burger buns, and pizza made with whole wheat crust from Montana wheat. 


University of North Florida

UNF Dining Services will collaborate with the campus library in a tabling event at the University of North Florida. The library will display resources highlighting various grains, the history of grains, recipes, and farming. UNF Dining Services will provide a whole grain sample (popcorn, quinoa salad, sorghum, etc.) for the students and staff in celebration of Whole Grain Sampling Day and Nutrition Month. We’ll have coupons from various brands and possibly a virtual reality sensory study with sorghum.


University of Pittsburgh

The University of Pittsburgh will be celebrating Whole Grain Sampling Day in a wide variety of ways. They will be hosting food demos and tastings and sharing information about whole grains in one of their dining halls and in their Community Engagement Center off-campus. They will also be promoting whole grains at three community programs — one for older adults, one for the general population, and one for a school group. 


University of Southern California

On Whole Grain Sampling Day, USC will have a whole grain education table at the campus farmers market, with free food samples and a whole grain trivia game.


USA Rice Federation

The USA Rice Federation will be hosting whole grain trivia and a recipe contest on Whole Grain Sampling Day. Engaged accounts will be chosen as winners and will be eligible to receive a USA Rice Prize Pack that includes a rice cooker and US-grown rice samples among other things. 


Vermont Department of Mental Health

In celebration of Whole Grain Sampling Day, the Vermont Department of Mental Health will provide various samples of whole grain breads and cereals for their staff to sample.


Washington State University

On Whole Grain Sampling Day, Washington State University will celebrate by featuring whole grain dishes in each of their three Dining Centers and passing out samples for students to try. 


Waverly-Shell Rock Middle School

For Whole Grain Sampling Day, Waverly-Shell Rock Middle School will conduct a whole grain taste test during their lunch periods, encouraging over 800 students to try the samples and learn more about whole grains. They will also teach lessons in Family and Consumer Sciences about the benefits of eating whole grain foods. 


Weis Markets

Select locations of Weis Markets will celebrate with special Whole Grain Sampling Day events. See store for details. 

Maryland

  • Weis Markets — Brunswick: 1201 Dutchman’s Creek Drive, Brunswick, MD

New Jersey

  • Weis Markets — Randolph: 146 Center Grove Road, Randolph, NJ

Pennsylvania

  • Weis Markets — Enola: 4525 Valley Road, Enola, PA
  • Weis Markets — Fogelsville: 7801 Glenlivet Drive West, Fogelsville, PA
  • Weis Markets — Perkasie: 431 West Dublin Pike, Perkasie, PA
  • Weis Markets — Selinsgrove: 719 US-52, Selinsgrove, PA

West Virginia University Osher Lifelong Learning Institute

Attend this annual Whole Grain Sampling Day event and sample recipes made from 10 different grains. Each grain station will feature information on preparing the grain (in both flour and berry form) and where to find it locally. Other local food professionals will join the instructor to share their expertise. Participants will finish the evening with a satisfying piece of teff cake, whipped cream, and pomegranate arils.


Yale University Health Center

Yale University will be celebrating Whole Grain Sampling Day with a table set up in the lobby of the Yale University Health Center. Participants will be able to sample whole grains and receive information about incorporating whole grains into their diet. 


Yale University Hospitality

On Whole Grain Sampling Day, Yale University Hospitality will offer a whole grain poke bowl at all fourteen of their dining hall locations. The dish will include a whole grain base and an assortment of delicious toppings, mix-ins, and sauces.