Sweet Without the Spike: Blood Sugar–Friendly Snacks & Desserts
2026-04-18 14:00 - 16:00 (America/New_York) | Common Market – 7th Street, 927 West 7th Street, Frederick, MD, 21701, United States
Curious how to enjoy snacks and desserts without blood sugar spikes, crashes, or guilt? Want to see what blood-sugar–friendly eating actually looks like in real life—not just on a handout? Join Cara Dodson, NTP and founder of Cara Dodson Wellness, for an interactive, hands-on blood sugar–friendly cooking experience designed to nourish your body while satisfying your taste buds.
In this engaging food demo, Cara will walk you through the why and how behind building snacks and desserts that support stable blood sugar, balanced energy, and whole-body health. You’ll learn simple, realistic ingredient swaps, hidden blood sugar disruptors to avoid, and easy ways to add protein, minerals, and healthy fats to everyday recipes—without sacrificing flavor.
Together, we’ll prepare nutrient-dense desserts, then sit down to enjoy them as a group. While we eat, Cara will answer your blood sugar questions and share a Nutritional Therapy Practitioner’s perspective on:
– Supporting blood sugar with food (without restriction or perfection)
– Smart ingredient swaps and add-ins that actually make a difference
– Common “healthy” foods that quietly spike blood sugar
– How to build snacks that keep you full, energized, and satisfied
You’ll leave with both recipes to recreate at home, practical food strategies you can use immediately, and inspiration from connecting with others who are also prioritizing their health.
This is the perfect opportunity to learn, cook, connect, and nourish—all while supporting your blood sugar in a sustainable, enjoyable way.

Cold Process Soap Making! (for a cause)
2026-04-25 14:00 - 16:00 | Common Market – 7th Street, 927 West 7th Street, Frederick, MD, 21701, United States
This cold process soap making demonstration introduces participants to the fundamentals of traditional soap crafting, beginning with thoughtful ingredient selection. We will explain the role of different oils and butters and how lye and water initiate saponification, the chemical process that turns these raw materials into soap. Emphasis is placed on choosing ingredients that balance skin feel, cleansing ability, and longevity, as well as on using fragrances and colorants responsibly to create a product that is both appealing and suitable for a wide range of users.
The demonstration also highlights key differences between cold process soap and modern surfactant-based bars. Unlike surfactant bars, which rely on synthetic detergents and are often pH-balanced to be closer to skin, cold process soap is made from simple ingredients and retains naturally occurring glycerin, contributing to its moisturizing qualities. While each type has its place, cold process soap is valued for its traditional method and customizable formulations. The batch created during this demonstration has a special purpose: once cured, the soap will be donated to Advocates for Homeless Families, supporting their work by providing a practical, handmade item that promotes dignity, hygiene, and care within the community.
Your ticket includes a free bar of Goose Ridge Soaps bar soap ($7.25 retail value), a 15% off coupon towards a hands on soap making workshop, handout of instructions and resources for soap making, AND $5 from every ticket goes to Project Lather. Learn more about Project Lather.

Back to Basics: Eat Real Food with the New Dietary Guidelines - 2026 Edition [FREE]
2026-05-01 13:30 - 14:30 | Common Market – 7th Street, 927 West 7th Street, Frederick, MD, 21701, United States
Explore how today’s updated nutrition guidelines move beyond the old food pyramid to emphasize real, whole foods that support lasting energy and overall wellness. In this class, you’ll learn how to build balanced meals with whole fruits and vegetables, quality proteins, healthy fats, and whole grains—while reducing ultra-processed foods. Walk away with simple, practical tools to nourish your body and feel your best every day.
Joi Foss Vogin is a Family and Consumer Sciences Agent with the University of Maryland Extension in Frederick County, MD. She is a licensed Nutritionist and Clinical Herbalist with over 25 years of experience in nutrition, food safety and herbal medicine. Joi’s areas of interest include the prevention of diabetes, cardiovascular and other chronic diseases through whole foods nutrition, cooking as self-care, and healthy living behaviors. She is a native plant and herbal enthusiast and teaches the importance of safe and sustainable herb use, growth, and harvesting practices.
This is a free community offering with limited capacity, if you have RSVP’d but are unable to attend, kindly email arobinson@commonmarket.coop to allow us to offer your spot to another participant.
If you need a reasonable accommodation to participate in this event, please contact Joi Vogin on or before
4/17/26 at 301-600-3573 or jvogin@umd.edu.

Ethiopian Coffee Ceremony: A Cultural & Sensory Experience
2026-05-02 10:00 - 11:30 | Common Market – Route 85, 5728 Buckeystown Pike, Unit B1, Frederick, MD, 21704, United States
Experience the Ethiopian Coffee Ceremony, a traditional cultural ritual centered on hospitality, aroma, and community. Participants will learn about the origins of coffee in Ethiopia while observing the traditional roasting and brewing process from green beans to the final pour. The ceremony invites mindful presence through sight, sound, and scent, emphasizing coffee as a shared cultural experience rather than a quick beverage. Attendees will enjoy a guided tasting of freshly brewed Ethiopian coffee and leave with a deeper appreciation for coffee’s cultural roots.
Elsa is Ethiopian-born and a coffee ceremony host and cultural educator based in Maryland. She brings lived cultural knowledge of the Ethiopian coffee ceremony to community spaces through guided ritual, storytelling, and sensory tasting experiences. Elsa has hosted Ethiopian Coffee Ceremonies at cafés, community venues, festivals, and private gatherings throughout Maryland since 2024, including an ongoing quarterly collaboration with Dublin Roasters Coffee. Her work centers on honoring ancestral tradition while creating welcoming, accessible experiences for modern audiences.
Photo by: Sarah Rachael Photography

Loco-for-Local Celebration!
2026-05-16 12:00 - 15:00 | Common Market – Route 85, 5728 Buckeystown Pike, Unit B1, Frederick, MD, 21704, United States
Join us for Loco for Local on May 16th at our Route 85 location as we celebrate the incredible local businesses and neighbors who make our co-op thrive.
✨ Enjoy live music✨ Sample delicious bites from our amazing local vendors✨ Treat yourself to complimentary ice cream✨ Enter to win fun raffle prizes and surprise giveaways
When you shop local, you’re doing so much more than filling your basket—you’re uplifting your neighbors, fueling small businesses, and strengthening the fabric of our community. Let’s come together to celebrate the people that make our community shine. We can’t wait to celebrate with you! 💛

Yoga en Español: Practica, Expresión Creativa & Cacao
2026-05-23 13:00 - 15:00 | Common Market – 7th Street, 927 West 7th Street, Frederick, MD, 21701, United States
A welcoming, gentle yoga experience in Spanish designed for Spanish or Bilingual speakers. We will begin with a warm introduction and simple Spanish yoga vocabulary to guide breath cues, body parts, and few key poses. Students will be invited to move through a slow, accessible practice, focused on breath, comfort, and mindful movement.
After practice, students will have time to reflect and express their sensations through writing or drawing on a piece of canvas or paper. Inviting to give experience and sensations color, shape and meaning. Students will take this art as a personal reminder of their day and practice of Yoga in Spanish.

Face the Summer with Nerve-Strengthening Herbs!
2026-05-26 16:00 - 17:00 | Common Market – 7th Street, 927 West 7th Street, Frederick, MD, 21701, United States
As the world heats up, it can be hard to keep our cool. Add to that the stress of shifting schedules with school out, planning travel, tending plants and keeping up with social obligations, and you’ve got a recipe for burnout. Join Herbalist Iris Kirsch of InsideOut Wholeness as we explore the benefits of safe, gentle nervines: herbs that support our nervous systems. Leave with an individualized recipe for a calming iced herbal tea blend you can sip throughout Summer to help keep you cool, calm and collected!
Iris Kirsch, M. Ed. is a healer, educator, mother, adventurer, punk rocker and herb farmer. She has been talking to plants for 44 years and studying their healing properties for over 20. With roots in the Wise Woman Tradition and Ayurveda, Iris and her family run Warm Springs Herbal, a farm-based Apothecary in Berkeley Springs, WV where they craft healing potions from medicinal herbs they grow, offer holistic health consultations, and embrace chaos.
If you would like to attend this class but are experiencing financial hardship please email arobinson@commonmarket.coop to be added onto the roster.

Petals and Pastries at Dahlia Den and Gardens
2026-05-30 10:00 - 12:00 | Dahlia Den and Gardens, 5318 Stone Road, Frederick, 21703, United States
Join us for a sweet and relaxing morning at Dahlia Den and Gardens in Frederick, MD.
In this hands-on floral workshop, you’ll be guided through how to select and cut seasonal blooms, create a balanced arrangement, and care for your flowers at home, all while learning simple, approachable design principles. No prior experience is needed—this workshop is perfect for beginners and flower lovers alike.
Each guest will create their own unique mason jar bouquet thoughtfully arranged with fresh cut flowers from the garden. Attendees will also get to enjoy a delightful spread of house-made pastries and refreshing beverages provided by the Co-op, giving you time to relax, connect, and soak in the beauty of the gardens.

Ethiopian Coffee Ceremony: A Cultural & Sensory Experience
2026-06-12 10:00 - 11:30 | Common Market – 7th Street, 927 West 7th Street, Frederick, MD, 21701, United States

Community Yoga & Wellness Celebration!
2026-06-20 09:00 - 12:30 | Common Market – Route 85, 5728 Buckeystown Pike, Unit B1, Frederick, MD, 21704, United States
In honor of International Yoga Day and the Summer Solstice, we’re bringing the community together for an afternoon of movement, mindfulness, and fun. Join us for our free Yoga & Wellness Celebration on Saturday, June 20th from 9am – 12pm at the Common Market Rt 85 location! Here’s what to expect:
🧘‍♀️ Free Yoga Classes All Morning – Experience a variety of yoga styles led by local instructors who bring their unique energy and practice to the mat.
🎨 Zen Crafting – Create a groovy peace sign mala, paint a rock or color a mandala.
🎪 Local Studio Tents & Wellness Partners – Stop by, say hello, and explore offerings from local yoga studios and wellness organizations.
😋 Free Tasting Booths – Stroll through the store and sample some delicious, nourishing bites.
It’s going to be a beautiful, high-vibe celebration of community and well-being. We can’t wait to see you there! 🌿✨

2026 Annual Ownerfest!
2026-10-17 12:00 - 15:00 | Common Market – Route 85, 5728 Buckeystown Pike, Unit B1, Frederick, MD, 21704, United States
Join us for Ownerfest, our annual celebration dedicated to our incredible Owners! 🎈
At the Common Market, our Owners play a pivotal role, and we’re thrilled to honor them each year. Ownerfest is your chance to experience the excitement firsthand! This family-friendly event is open to everyone, offering a fantastic opportunity for those interested in ownership to learn more.
🍽️ Indulge in a delicious meal prepared by our talented cafe staff
🍰 Sample tasty treats from our amazing local vendors
🎶 Enjoy live music entertainment
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Engage in fun activities for kids
🎁 Don’t miss out on exciting giveaways and more surprises
Come join the festivities and discover what being an Owner at the Common Market is all about. See you there! 🎊
