Third annual Fermentation and Fungi Fest draws crowds to downtown Albuquerque

Food lovers gathered in downtown Albuquerque on Sunday for a community celebration of cultured foods and mushrooms. The event brought patrons together to explore a niche culinary market.

Attendees tasted wine and cheese. They also sampled foods from local restaurants.

Fermentation experts held live demonstrations throughout the day. The gathering featured a sourdough competition.

Organizers said the event aimed to build interest in specialized local foods. Danielle Schlobohm works as Special Projects Manager at Downtown ABQ MainStreet.

“We have about 35 local vendors here that are all selling goods that are all around fermentation and fungi,” Danielle Schlobohm, Special Projects Manager at Downtown ABQ MainStreet, said. “Things like sourdough, coffee, beer wine, things like sourkraut, kimchi and then we also have a great selection of mushroom vendors who are doing everything from having fresh mushrooms, to health and wellness tinctures, to dried mushrooms, so all kinds of manners of ways to use these foods that are all really beneficial to our bodies as well.”

Guests explored displays of wild mushrooms growing across New Mexico. Downtown ABQ MainStreet promotes local community growth and revitalization downtown.

Visitors also learned about the state medical magic mushroom program. Vendors shared practical ways to use these foods.