Slowpoke Sourdough

09/28/2026

FLOUR DISTRICT WORKSHOP

Over the past couple of years, we've been fortunate to work with the Flour District, both in whole-selling our loaves and in putting on intensive workshops for those interested in learning about sourdough baking in the community.

With the addition of the Rivermont Farmers Market to our workload, we put those workshops on pause. I'm excited to announce that we've got another Sourdough 101 Workshop on the books with the Flour District, on November 14, from 10AM to 2PM.

The workshop is an introductory session with a lot of time for questions and answers. We provide lunch and a tasting of many Slowpoke Breads along with offerings from some of the local farms in our area. While the emphasis of the workshop is on sourdough and naturally leavened breads, we spend some time diving into the regional grain and how to best implement stone-ground flours into your baking practice.

Tickets move fast and last I checked there were only 4 spots left. Click the link below if you'd like to join us in November to learn about Sourdough bread baking!

THIS WEEK'S MENU

Rivermont Farmers Market
Riverside Park, 2238 Rivermont Ave
WEDNESDAY FROM 3 - 7 PM

PAIN AU LEVAIN
VALLEY
EINKORN
BRIOCHE
SEEDED
FARMHOUSE WHEAT (Sliced)
ASSORTED CROISSANT

Note - we are low on some ingredients so Polenta and Marble Rye will be unavailable until next week.

Lynchburg Community Market
1219 Main Street
SATURDAY FROM 7AM - 1PM

PAIN AU LEVAIN
VALLEY
EINKORN
RUGBRØD
SEEDED
FARMHOUSE WHEAT
ASSORTED PASTRY

Click here for an update from SLOWPOKE SOURDOUGH!

09/16/2026

RIVERMONT FARMERS MARKET TODAY

We’ve got a lot of bread headed to the Rivermont Farmers Market today 3 - 7PM. Come out and enjoy some of this cooler weather with us!

Music from 5-7PM bring your lawn chairs.

09/16/2026

THIS WEEK'S OFFERING

WEDNESDAY AT THE RIVERMONT FARMERS MARKET
2238 RIVERMONT AVE from 3 - 7 PM

BREAD:
PAIN AU LEVAIN
VALLEY
FARMHOUSE WHEAT
BRIOCHE
SEEDED
POLENTA
RUGBRØD

PASTRY:
BUTTER CROISSANT
CHOCOLATE CROISSANT
CINNAMON PULL-APART

SATURDAY AT THE LYNCHBURG COMMUNITY MARKET
1219 MAIN STREET from 7AM - 12PM or SOLDOUT

BREAD:
PAIN AU LEVAIN
VALLEY
POLENTA
EINKORN
FARMHOUSE WHEAT
MARBLE RYE
FRENCH ONION LEVAIN

PASTRY:
MORNING BUNS
PAIN AU CHOCOLAT
CHOCOLATE ALMOND CROISSANT
HAM AND GRUYERE CROISSANT
CINNAMON SUGAR PULL-APARTS
FRUIT SCONE
SAVORY CORNMEAL POUND CAKE
CASHEW-BARLEY-DATE COOKIES

NEW PASTRIES

As we near the autumnal equinox, our minds and focus are turning towards the pastry case. While bread will always be the foundation of our small bakery, much of the joy of our work comes from putting together new flavor combinations, executing the perfect (or not) lamination in our croissant dough, and of course sampling treats at 5AM Saturday morning to make sure they are fit to sell.

The plan over the next few months is to introduce new pastry items every week or so. This is intended to keep things interesting both for the bakers and our customers, and we especially want to use these products to highlight seasonal ingredients and feature unique grains.

As always, we welcome feedback on these new products. If something really hits for you, please let us know. Similarly, if you think an item was less than fantastic, that is equally valuable information for us. This feedback will help us determine what was a good experiment and what should earn a spot in our regular repertoire.

Click here for an update from SLOWPOKE SOURDOUGH!

09/07/2026

THIS WEEK'S OFFERING

WEDNESDAY AT THE RIVERMONT FARMERS MARKET
2238 RIVERMONT AVE from 3 - 7 PM

PAIN AU LEVAIN
BAGUETTE
VALLEY
FARMHOUSE WHEAT
BRIOCHE
SEEDED
POLENTA
BIALY

SATURDAY AT THE LYNCHBURG COMMUNITY MARKET
1219 MAIN STREET from 7AM - 12PM or SOLDOUT

PAIN AU LEVAIN
VALLEY
RUGBRØD
EINKORN
FARMHOUSE WHEAT
MARBLE RYE
POLENTA
ASSORTED PASTRY

SOURDOUGH AS A PROCESS

One of the most common questions we are asked at the market each week is "Which one is the sourdough"? In a media ecosystem where the algorithm dictates so much of what we see and consume this question becomes a lot more understandable as many influencers and online bread bakers treat sourdough as an almost singular product, with the only exceptions being what inclusions are mixed into the dough.

Slowpoke breads (with a few exceptions) are all breads made through the process of sourdough, or natural fermentation. Our starter is maintained at room temperature twice a day and built up methodically for each mix. A typical mix will require between 7000 to 9000 grams (15 to 20 lbs) of starter that is built up over the course of about 24 hours. This process allows us to control and maintain a predictable starter, both in flavor and in behavior of fermentation.

Slowpoke has always maintained a mission to support the work being done by regional farms and millers in the Mid-Atlantic. We are extremely fortunate to be able to source all of our flour from our friends at Deep Roots Milling up at Woodson's Mill in Nelson County. Sourdough is our process but our products represent the different grains that grow in communities close by to us.

If you're ever interested in learning more come stop by our booth at either the Lynchburg Community Market or the Rivermont Farmers Market. We love to chat about bread! We are also commonly asked about selling starter. We do not sell our starter but do happily give it away. If you'd ever like to try your hand at the sourdough process just shoot us an email and we'll arrange a pickup for you to grab some starter.

Click here for an update from SLOWPOKE SOURDOUGH!

09/05/2026

BEFORE AND AFTER

We’re at the Lynchburg Community Market from 7AM - 12PM today with a fairly limited selection of breads and a much larger selection of pastries. Get here early for bread!

If you miss us today we’ll be out at the Rivermont Farmers Market next Wednesday with the full lineup. Only 7 more weeks left of RFM at Riverside Park until next year!

08/31/2026

THIS WEEK'S MENU

WEDNESDAY @ THE RIVERMONT FARMERS MARKET
2238 RIVERMONT AVE from 3 - 7 PM

PAIN AU LEVAIN
VALLEY
POLENTA
BRIOCHE
BAGUETTE
ROASTED GARLIC
SEEDED
SEASONAL WHOLE GRAIN BIALY

SATURDAY @ THE LYNCHBURG COMMUNITY MARKET
1219 Main Street from 7AM - 12PM

PAIN AU LEVAIN
VALLEY
POLENTA
SEEDED
MARBLE RYE
RUGBRØD

CHANGES IN THE WEATHER

Adapting to changes in the temperature and humidity can be one of the most challenging parts of managing the production of our breads. Controlling the temperature of the water is one way that we can control dough temperature but when outside temperatures rise into the 90's we sometimes find ourselves with wild and unruly fermentation.

We hope that we've brought consistency to our products to you all this summer season and we will continue to do so as we enter into the fall and winter seasons. Changing temperatures make for some interesting work days and help keep us on our toes.

This Wednesday is calling for temperatures in the mid 90's. We'll be out with fresh breads at the Rivermont Farmers Market along with many of our friends. Cold ice water will be on hand to keep ourselves and customers hydrated. Here's to hoping this is the last stand of heat as we make way for the fall.

LYH GROWS FARM STAND // FLOUR DISTRICT // HEALTH NUT

For those of you that can't make it our to the Rivermont Farmers Market this week, just want to send out a friendly reminder that we'll have fresh bread available for sale at the Flour District on Bedford Ave, the LYH Grows Farm Stand off of Fort Ave, and the Health Nut Foods Store down in Forest on Wednesday.

Get your breads!

Click here for an update from SLOWPOKE SOURDOUGH!

08/17/2026

THIS WEEK'S MENU

WEDNESDAY @ RIVERMONT FARMERS MARKET
2238 RIVERMONT AVE 3-7 PM
RIVERSIDE PARK

PAIN AU LEVAIN
VALLEY
ROASTED GARLIC
FARMHOUSE WHEAT
BAGUETTE
BRIOCHE
POLENTA

SATURDAY @ LYNCHBURG COMMUNITY MARKET
1209 MAIN STREET 7AM - 12PM OR SOLD OUT

PAIN AU LEVAIN
VALLEY
EINKORN
RUGBRØD
FARMHOUSE WHEAT
ROASTED GARLIC
POLENTA

RIVERMONT FARMERS MARKET

If you haven't been out to the Rivermont Farmers Market yet this Wednesday is going to be a great time to check it out. We'll have the Riverside String Band playing from 5-7PM. Bring your picnic blankets or lawn chairs and come on out. We are up to around 30 vendors and have some great food options for ya'll. School is back in session so skip dinner prep and we'll see you on Wednesday!

Log into the RFM Instagram or page to comment and be entered into a chance to win a $25 voucher to spend this upcoming Wednesday at any of our vendor booths.

Click here for an update from SLOWPOKE SOURDOUGH!

08/10/2026

THIS WEEK'S MENU

WEDNESDAY @ RIVERMONT FARMERS MARKET

PAIN AU LEVAIN
SEEDED
BRIOCHE
VALLEY
FARMHOUSE WHEAT
POLENTA

SATURDAY @ LYNCHBURG COMMUNITY MARKET

PAIN AU LEVAIN
SEEDED
FARMHOUSE WHEAT
VALLEY
RUGBRØD
EINKORN
POLENTA

GREAT DAY GARDENS FALL CSA

We're happy to announce that we'll be offering a bread share through the Great Day Gardens Fall CSA program. If you're unfamiliar with CSA's please follow the link below to learn more. They are a great way to support local farmers and food producers while also nourishing yourself or family with some of the best local produce that Central VA has to offer. Options for other add-ons include our friends Restoration Acres, Hill City Mushrooms, and Mountain Run Permaculture Eggs.

Follow the link below to learn more.

SLOWPOKE BREAD IN LYNCHBURG!

It's been a while since we've checked in so I just wanted to put together a little master list of all of the outlets in town that are currently selling or using Slowpoke Breads.

Health Nut in Forest, VA - Find an assortment of our breads at the Health Nut each week. We deliver loaves straight from our ovens to them every Wednesday morning!

Great Day Gardens CSA/Farm Stand - If you're in Forest and looking to pick up some local produce and bread head over to the Great Day Gardens Farm Stand every Wednesday to find some of our bread alongside the veggies offered for sale.

The Flour District on Bedford Ave - We deliver loaves of bread to the Flour District every Wednesday and Friday. Find them at the front of the shop as you work your way through the line!

Troublemaker Cafe - Inside of Given's Books, you can find Troublemaker Cafe slinging some of the best coffee in Lynchburg. Their toast menu items feature our Brioche bread and make for an excellent breakfast or lunch.

Lonestar Cafe and Market - Find our bread featured weekly on the Lonestar menu. They are located downtown on Main Street and serve up some of the best brunch the city has to offer.

Lynchburg Grows Farm Store/ CSA Bread Share - We offer a bread share to our friends at Lynchburg Grows but if you're not cool with the weekly commitment, fear not! We try to send extra loaves to the farm store every week that will be up for sale. Every Wednesday and Thursday.

While our online store is down, if you find yourself with any questions, requests, or comments please direct them to [email protected]. We try our best to accommodate most special orders and requests!

Click here for an update from SLOWPOKE SOURDOUGH!

07/29/2026

Back From Vacation

It's been a while since we've sent out a newsletter regarding any Slowpoke news. Last week, we both went on our respective family vacations are now back in Lynchburg feeling recharged and ready to bring you all some bread.

We'll be back at the Rivermont Farmers Market this week on Wednesday from 3-7PM at Riverside Park (2238 Rivermont Ave) and at the Lynchburg Community Market downtown on Saturday from 7AM - 1PM.

Earlier this year, Square made some changes to the way they handle their online services that have affected how we do online sales. Last month, we announced that we'd be closing our delivery and opening up new pickup locations around town where you can order online and pickup your bread. Because of the changes to Square, we're having to figure out a new way to make that system work. It's in the works but at the moment not ready to roll out.

In the meantime, aside from finding us at the Farmers Markets mentioned above, you can also find Slowpoke Bread at the Lynchburg Grows Farm Stand every Wednesday (and sometimes Thursday) as well as on Wednesdays at the Health Nut down in Forest. You can also find loaves at the Flour District on Bedford Ave every Wednesday, Friday and Saturday.

We offer bread shares through both the Lynchburg Grows and Great Day Gardens CSA. If you'd like more information on either of those programs reach out to [email protected]

This Week's Menu

Wednesday at the Rivermont Farmers Market

PAIN AU LEVAIN
SEEDED
BAGUETTE
BRIOCHE
VALLEY
POLENTA
FARMHOUSE WHEAT

Saturday at the Lynchburg Community Market Downtown

PAIN AU LEVAIN
MARBLE RYE
RUGBRØD
VALLEY
POLENTA
FARMHOUE WHEAT
EINKORN

Click here for an update from SLOWPOKE SOURDOUGH!

07/17/2026

SLOWPOKE VACATION

We’re headed to Maine this week. I’m currently camping out at Acadia National Park and Thomas will be headed up to Southern Maine each on our respective family vacations. Starting tomorrow we’ll be shut down for a week.

We’ll be sending a limited amount of bread to the Lynchburg Community Market tomorrow with the ever so reliable Mia Mangold / historic 🏠 dweller/ cat lady so get there early if you can. No pastries!

We will also be absent from the Rivermont Farmers Market on July 22nd.

Trailhead is running a pretty awesome special this weekend featuring our bread this weekend so go check them out!

Looking forward to exploring some of the awesome bakeries Maine has to offer. Pictured above was my stop earlier this morning on the way up to Bar Harbor. Night Moves has been on my list for a while and did not disappoint!

Brian