In today’s world, where convenience often takes precedence over quality and community connections, sourdough bread workshops offer a refreshing alternative. Across Canada, these workshops are emerging as a vehicle for social change, fostering healthier eating habits, saving families money, and bringing people together in ways that celebrate diversity and build community resilience. By focusing on traditional, sustainable methods of baking, these workshops are contributing to stronger, healthier, and more connected local communities.
Starting this fall, The Sourdough People will be offering sourdough bread workshops in British Columbia and Alberta, with plans to expand across the country by spring 2025. These interactive, community-centered events will bring together people from all walks of life to learn the art of sourdough breadmaking. If you’re passionate about being part of this movement and helping organize workshops in your community, now is the perfect time to get involved.
Creating Social Change Through Sourdough Bread Workshops
Sourdough bread workshops are more than just baking classes—they are catalysts for social change. These workshops create spaces where people of different backgrounds and experiences can come together to learn a shared skill, build relationships, and strengthen the social fabric of their communities. By working side by side, participants engage in conversations that bridge generational, cultural, and socioeconomic divides.
For marginalized groups, such as low-income families, refugees, or individuals facing food insecurity, these workshops provide a sense of empowerment and belonging. Learning to bake sourdough offers more than just a new culinary skill; it offers a way to connect with others, share stories, and take control of one’s food choices in a meaningful, sustainable way.
Saving Money on Healthy Food Through Sourdough Breadmaking
With grocery prices on the rise, many families are searching for ways to stretch their budgets without compromising on nutrition. Sourdough bread workshops provide an ideal solution. By learning to bake sourdough at home, participants can significantly reduce the cost of purchasing bread while also gaining access to a healthier, more nutritious product.
The ingredients required to make sourdough—flour, water, and salt—are both affordable and accessible. Over time, families who bake their own bread can save a substantial amount compared to purchasing store-bought, especially if they are used to buying artisanal or specialty breads. Sourdough workshops teach participants how to maintain a sourdough starter and produce bread consistently, helping to foster self-sufficiency and reduce reliance on expensive, processed food-like alternatives.
Bringing People Together, Celebrating Diversity and Inclusion
At the heart of every sourdough bread workshop is the idea of connection. These workshops create opportunities for people to come together, not just to bake but to share, collaborate, and build a sense of community. In a time when people often feel disconnected from their neighbors or isolated in their daily routines, sourdough workshops provide a space for meaningful interactions and lasting relationships.
Bread is a universal food, and the act of baking together is a tradition that transcends cultural boundaries. Sourdough bread workshops celebrate this diversity, inviting participants to share their own cultural traditions around breadmaking while learning new techniques. Whether you’re kneading dough beside a neighbor, a friend, or someone from a different background, these workshops are designed to foster inclusivity and mutual respect.
Supporting Local Communities and Businesses
Sourdough bread workshops not only bring people together—they also provide a boost to local communities and businesses. By sourcing ingredients locally and supporting regional grain and flour producers, these workshops help keep money within the community and promote sustainable food practices.
At The Sourdough People, we are committed to partnering with local businesses across Canada to source the best quality flour and grain products. We believe in supporting Canadian producers who prioritize health, quality, and affordability. If you represent a flour or grain brand, or work in a similar industry, we’d love to include your products in our workshops. This collaboration not only enhances the workshop experience but also helps participants discover and support local brands that align with their values.
Benefits of Attending a Sourdough Bread Workshop
Sourdough bread workshops offer a variety of practical and meaningful benefits, contributing to healthier lifestyles, stronger communities, and economic savings. Here’s what you can expect:
- Save Money on Food: Learn how to make sourdough bread at home with affordable ingredients, helping reduce your grocery expenses compared to buying artisanal breads from stores.
- Improve Health: Sourdough is naturally fermented, making it easier to digest and packed with essential nutrients like B vitamins, iron, and magnesium. It also supports gut health and offers a healthier alternative to processed bread.
- Build Self-Sufficiency: Acquire hands-on skills that allow you to regularly bake your own bread, fostering independence and reducing reliance on store-bought products.
- Connect with Your Community: Workshops create a welcoming environment where participants bond with others through shared experiences, building stronger local networks and fostering new friendships.
- Celebrate Cultural Diversity: Breadmaking traditions are shared across cultures. Sourdough workshops highlight and celebrate these diverse practices, creating a rich learning experience for all participants.
- Support Local Businesses: By using locally sourced ingredients, participants contribute to the local economy and discover high-quality flour and grain products from regional producers.
- Explore Local and Regional Flour and Grain Brands: Gain insight into the best local flour and grains available, enhancing your breadmaking experience while supporting sustainable Canadian agriculture.
- Boost Mental Wellness: The process of making sourdough is therapeutic, providing a mindful, calming activity that can help reduce stress and encourage a sense of accomplishment.
- Strengthen Family Bonds: Workshops are an excellent opportunity for families to bake together, creating lasting traditions, learning teamwork, and enjoying quality time.
- Promote Sustainability and Tradition: Learn timeless baking methods that prioritize sustainability, reduce food waste, and promote the use of simple, natural ingredients.
Attending a sourdough bread workshop offers more than just baking skills—it provides an enriching experience that touches on personal, social, and economic aspects, all while fostering a sense of community and well-being.
Sourcing the Best Flour and Grain Products for Our Workshops
To ensure that participants have access to the highest quality ingredients, The Sourdough People are on the lookout for Canada’s best flour and grain products. We are committed to working with local producers who share our focus on health, quality, and sustainability. Whether you’re a flour brand, a grain producer, or another related business, we’d love to collaborate with you to include your products in our workshops.
If you’re interested in partnering with us to showcase your flour or grain products, reach out to us at workshops@sourdoughbread.ca. Together, we can promote local businesses while providing participants with the best ingredients to bake their own sourdough.
Join the Movement with The Sourdough People Workshops
At The Sourdough People, we believe that sourdough breadmaking has the power to bring about positive change in communities across Canada. From improving health and saving money to building relationships and supporting local businesses, these workshops offer a holistic approach to food and community well-being. Starting in British Columbia and Alberta this fall, and continuing into the spring of 2025, we will be hosting sourdough bread workshops nationwide, helping people discover the joys of baking while fostering deeper connections with their neighbors.
Whether you want to participate in a workshop or are interested in organizing one for your business or community, now is the perfect time to get involved. Contact us at workshops@sourdoughbread.ca to learn more about hosting a workshop and becoming part of this movement. Let’s bake healthier bread, save money, and build stronger, more connected communities—one loaf at a time!
Additional Information For Attendees and Partners
The Sourdough People are excited to announce the launch of our sourdough bread workshops in Canada, starting this fall and winter 2024 in British Columbia and Alberta. As we roll into 2025, we will gradually expand our workshops from Western Canada across the entire country, bringing the joy of sourdough baking to communities from coast to coast. We are on the lookout for the best local and regional flour and grain brands and companies to feature in our workshops. Additionally, we are searching for unique, quirky, and memorable event venues to host these experiences, ensuring that each workshop is as distinctive as the community it serves.
If you see yourself working with The Sourdough People—whether as a local partner, regional manager, or event host—or if you have flour, grains, or other products and services you’d like us to include in our workshops, we’d love to hear from you! Please reach out to us at workshops@sourdoughbread.ca to learn more about how you can get involved.
Below is a list of provinces, territories, cities, towns, and places across Canada we are excited to host in, learn from, and support with our sourdough bread workshops. As we expand, we plan to bring our workshops to these areas and beyond. Now is the perfect time to come forward if you want to be part of this exciting movement from a business or community standpoint!
Communities We Are Excited to Support
Alberta
Airdrie, Beaumont, Bonnyville, Brooks, Calgary, Camrose, Chestermere, Cochrane, Cold Lake, Drayton Valley, Edmonton, Fort McMurray, Fort Saskatchewan, Grande Prairie, High River, Hinton, Lacombe, Leduc, Lethbridge, Lloydminster, Medicine Hat, Okotoks, Olds, Red Deer, Rocky Mountain House, Sherwood Park, Slave Lake, Spruce Grove, St. Albert, Stettler, Stony Plain, Strathmore, Sundre, Sylvan Lake, Taber, Three Hills, Vermilion, Wainwright, Wetaskiwin, Whitecourt, Canmore, Jasper, Banff, Drumheller, Edson, Fairview, Innisfail, Peace River, Pincher Creek, Vegreville
British Columbia
Abbotsford, Burnaby, Campbell River, Castlegar, Chilliwack, Colwood, Comox, Coquitlam, Courtenay, Cranbrook, Dawson Creek, Delta, Duncan, Esquimalt, Fort St. John, Kamloops, Kelowna, Kimberley, Kitimat, Langford, Langley, Maple Ridge, Merritt, Nanaimo, Nelson, New Westminster, North Vancouver, Parksville, Penticton, Port Alberni, Port Coquitlam, Port Moody, Powell River, Prince George, Prince Rupert, Quesnel, Richmond, Salmon Arm, Sidney, Sooke, Squamish, Surrey, Terrace, Trail, Vancouver, Vernon, Victoria, West Kelowna, White Rock, Williams Lake
Manitoba
Brandon, Dauphin, Flin Flon, Morden, Portage la Prairie, Selkirk, Steinbach, The Pas, Thompson, Winkler, Winnipeg, Altona, Beausejour, Boissevain, Carman, Churchill, Gillam, Grand Rapids, Gretna, Lac du Bonnet, Leaf Rapids, Minnedosa, Neepawa, Niverville, Pinawa, Powerview-Pine Falls, Roblin, Russell, Snow Lake, Souris, St. Pierre-Jolys, Ste. Anne, Stonewall, Swan River, Teulon, Treherne, Virden, Wawanesa, Emerson, Gladstone, Killarney, Landmark, Melita, Morris, Notre Dame de Lourdes, Oakbank, Pilot Mound, Plum Coulee, St. Adolphe
New Brunswick
Bathurst, Campbellton, Dieppe, Edmundston, Fredericton, Miramichi, Moncton, Oromocto, Quispamsis, Riverview, Rothesay, Saint John, Sackville, Shediac, Sussex, Tracadie-Sheila, Woodstock, Blackville, Bouctouche, Caraquet, Dalhousie, Doaktown, Florenceville-Bristol, Grand Bay-Westfield, Grand Falls, Hampton, Hartland, Lamèque, McAdam, Minto, Nackawic, Neguac, Nigadoo, Perth-Andover, Petitcodiac, Plaster Rock, Richibucto, Rexton, Riverside-Albert, Saint Andrews, Saint George, Saint Stephen, Saint-Antoine, Salisbury, Shediac Bridge, St. Martins, Tide Head, Alma, Baie-Sainte-Anne, Memramcook
Newfoundland and Labrador
Bay Roberts, Carbonear, Clarenville, Corner Brook, Gander, Grand Falls-Windsor, Happy Valley-Goose Bay, Labrador City, Mount Pearl, Paradise, St. John's, Stephenville, Bishop's Falls, Bonavista, Burgeo, Channel-Port aux Basques, Deer Lake, Fogo Island, Gambo, Glovertown, Hopedale, La Scie, Lewisporte, Marystown, Musgrave Harbour, Nain, Placentia, Roddickton, Springdale, St. Anthony, Torbay, Twillingate, Wabana, Baie Verte, Bell Island, Buchans, Burin, Cape Broyle, Cartwright, Ferryland, Forteau, Frenchman's Cove, Harbour Breton, Makkovik, Port Saunders, Red Bay, Renews-Cappahayden, Trepassey, Woody Point
Northwest Territories
Fort Smith, Hay River, Inuvik, Yellowknife, Aklavik, Behchoko, Colville Lake, Dettah, Enterprise, Fort Liard, Fort McPherson, Fort Providence, Fort Resolution, Fort Simpson, Gamètì, Jean Marie River, Kakisa, Lutselk'e, Nahanni Butte, Norman Wells, Paulatuk, Sachs Harbour, Sambaa K’e, Tsiigehtchic, Tuktoyaktuk, Tulita, Ulukhaktok, Wekweeti, Whatì, Wrigley, Deline, Dene Village, Pine Point, Great Bear Lake, Great Slave Lake Region, Sahtu Region, North Slave Region, South Slave Region, Dehcho Region, Nahanni National Park Reserve, Wood Buffalo National Park, Peel River, Bear River, Mackenzie River, Beaufort Sea, Tuktoyaktuk Peninsula, Mackenzie Delta, East Arm of Great Slave Lake
Nova Scotia
Amherst, Antigonish, Bedford, Bridgewater, Cape Breton, Dartmouth, Digby, Glace Bay, Halifax, Kentville, Liverpool, Lunenburg, New Glasgow, North Sydney, Sydney, Truro, Windsor, Wolfville, Yarmouth, Berwick, Canso, Chester, Clark's Harbour, Cheticamp, Dominion, Guysborough, Hantsport, Inverness, Lockeport, Louisbourg, Mahone Bay, Middleton, Mulgrave, Oxford, Parrsboro, Pictou, Port Hawkesbury, Shelburne, Springhill, Stellarton, Stewiacke, St. Peter's, Tatamagouche, Trenton, Westville, Weymouth, Windsor Junction, Wolfville Ridge, L'Ardoise, Hubbards, Shubenacadie
Nunavut
Arviat, Cambridge Bay, Iqaluit, Kugluktuk, Rankin Inlet, Baker Lake, Chesterfield Inlet, Coral Harbour, Gjoa Haven, Grise Fiord, Hall Beach, Igloolik, Kimmirut, Pangnirtung, Pond Inlet, Qikiqtarjuaq, Resolute, Sanikiluaq, Taloyoak, Whale Cove, Clyde River, Naujaat, Arctic Bay, Repulse Bay, Cape Dorset, Pelly Bay, Cambridge Bay, Kitikmeot Region, Kivalliq Region, Baffin Region, Ellesmere Island, Bathurst Inlet, Queen Maud Gulf, Soper River Valley, Mount Thor, Katannilik Territorial Park, Auyuittuq National Park, Quttinirpaaq National Park, Polar Bear Pass, Northern Baffin Island, Sirmilik National Park, Nettilling Lake, Amadjuak Lake, Hudson Bay, Foxe Basin, Cumberland Sound, Admiralty Inlet, Committee Bay, Southampton Island
Ontario
Ajax, Barrie, Belleville, Brampton, Brantford, Burlington, Cambridge, Chatham-Kent, Cornwall, Dryden, Elliot Lake, Greater Sudbury, Guelph, Hamilton, Kawartha Lakes, Kenora, Kingston, Kitchener, London, Markham, Midland, Mississauga, Niagara Falls, North Bay, Oakville, Orillia, Oshawa, Ottawa, Owen Sound, Peterborough, Pickering, Port Colborne, Quinte West, Richmond Hill, Sarnia, Sault Ste. Marie, St. Catharines, St. Thomas, Stratford, Temiskaming Shores, Thorold, Thunder Bay, Timmins, Toronto, Vaughan, Waterloo, Welland, Windsor, Woodstock
Prince Edward Island
Charlottetown, Cornwall, Montague, Souris, Stratford, Summerside, Alberton, Borden-Carleton, Brudenell, Georgetown, Kensington, Morell, North Rustico, O'Leary, Cardigan, Tignish, Hunter River, Breadalbane, Clyde River, Crapaud, Ellerslie-Bideford, Freetown, Greenmount-Montrose, Kinkora, Lady Slipper, Lennox Island, Linkletter, Miscouche, Murray Harbour, Murray River, New London, North Wiltshire, Oyster Bed Bridge, St. Louis, Stanley Bridge, Tryon, Tyne Valley, Victoria, Wellington, York, Bedeque and Area, Clyde River, East Royalty, Fort Augustus, Hope River, Marshfield, Mount Stewart, New Glasgow, Savage Harbour
Quebec
Alma, Baie-Comeau, Beloeil, Blainville, Boisbriand, Boucherville, Châteauguay, Chicoutimi, Côte Saint-Luc, Drummondville, Gatineau, Granby, Joliette, La Prairie, Laval, Lévis, Longueuil, Magog, Mascouche, Mirabel, Mont-Laurier, Montreal, Repentigny, Rimouski, Rivière-du-Loup, Rouyn-Noranda, Saguenay, Saint-Eustache, Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Saint-Jérôme, Saint-Laurent, Saint-Léonard, Sainte-Julie, Salaberry-de-Valleyfield, Sept-Îles, Shawinigan, Sherbrooke, Sorel-Tracy, Terrebonne, Thetford Mines, Trois-Rivières, Val-d'Or, Varennes, Vaudreuil-Dorion, Victoriaville, Amos, Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue, Mont-Tremblant, Îles-de-la-Madeleine, Kuujjuaq, Fermont, La Tuque
Saskatchewan
Estevan, Flin Flon (partially in MB), Humboldt, Lloydminster, Martensville, Meadow Lake, Melfort, Moose Jaw, North Battleford, Prince Albert, Regina, Saskatoon, Swift Current, Weyburn, Yorkton, Battleford, Biggar, Carrot River, Davidson, Esterhazy, Fort Qu'Appelle, Gravelbourg, Hudson Bay, Kamsack, Kindersley, La Ronge, Lanigan, Leader, Lumsden, Maple Creek, Melville, Moosomin, Nipawin, Outlook, Ponteix, Redvers, Rosetown, Shaunavon, Shellbrook, Stoughton, Tisdale, Unity, Wadena, Wakaw, Waskesiu Lake, Watrous, Wynyard, Canora, Indian Head, Oxbow, Whitewood
Yukon
Dawson City, Watson Lake, Whitehorse, Carmacks, Faro, Haines Junction, Mayo, Pelly Crossing, Ross River, Teslin, Beaver Creek, Burwash Landing, Carcross, Destruction Bay, Keno City, Old Crow, Champagne, Tagish, Mount Lorne, Marsh Lake, Lake Laberge, Ibex Valley, Upper Liard, Rock Creek, Mendenhall, Stewart Crossing, Klondike River Valley, Macmillan Pass, Tombstone Territorial Park, Yukon River, Southern Lakes Region, Silver Trail Region, Liard River, Fort Selkirk, North Klondike Region, Dempster Highway, Kluane National Park, Ruby Range, Peel Watershed, Ogilvie Mountains, Bonnet Plume Range, Wind River, Blackstone Uplands, Keno Hill, Mount Logan
