Featured Product

Kenyon's is always looking for grain as local as possible. This quality yellow corn is from a family farm on Long Island. For many years, my dad has made several trips by ferry to pick it up. It is very flavorful and we stone grind it, the sweet aroma permeates the entire mill! This meal is perfect for a classic, deep yellow corn bread, authentic polenta, dumplings, or hush puppies. Add it to any recipe to impart a unique, nutty texture. For recipe ideas, click here.

For details on how to get this season's featured item for FREE, click here.

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Johnny Cake Festival
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Kenyon's Grist Mill

Johnny Cake Festival: Oct. 19 & 20, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.

It's that unique time of year again when the weather gets cooler, the leaves begin to turn their vibrant colors, and the smell of pumpkins, apples, and cinnamon fill the air. Celebrate the autumn harvest at Kenyon's Grist Mill in the quaint village of Usquepaugh. Enjoy free samples of seasonal fare, beverages, sweets, snacks, Johnny Cakes, and more. Purchase from a variety of food, art, gifts, and products from over 125 local vendors, including area farms, artists, restaurants, and businesses. Look below for more information...

This authentic, New England event is a collaboration of businesses and non-profit organizations. The mission is to support the community while creating partnerships and promoting local culinary specialties, handmade and fine art, agriculture, and history.

Savor Johnny Cakes, a time-honored food that is iconic to Rhode Island. Several restaurants will serve their signature version using all local ingredients. Taste wine from four local wineries, as well as local craft beer and autumn spirits. Purchase by the glass and enjoy an abundance of local food. Watch a variety of demonstrations such as blacksmithing, basket weaving, bowl turning, stone carving, flax spinning, loom weaving, pottery throwing, and more. Listen to live music from sixteen bands on two stages. Visit with the alpacas, sheep, and goats, and enjoy the foliage along the scenic Queen's River and waterfall. Take a tour of the historic grist mill, meet special guests and historians, and experience a colonial encampment.

Food and clothing donations will be collected to benefit the Jonnycake Center of Peace Dale. One dollar per every order of Johnny Cakes will also be donated to the Rhode Island Breast Cancer Coalition. For a list of participants, featured local products, music and tour schedules, directions and parking details, photos and more information, visit JohnnyCakeFestival.com.

Visit us at the Big E

Don't miss the last weekend at the Eastern States Exposition, also known as the Big E! This annual event runs for 17 days and ends on Sunday, September 29th. Located in West Springfield, MA, it is the largest fair in the northeast. In the back of the Rhode Island Building, enjoy our famous Clam Cakes and Johnny Cakes made with our stone ground Yellow and White Corn Meal. We also serve a variety of Clam Chowder in bread bowls made with our stone ground Wheat Flour.

Kenyon's Grist Mill's presence at the Big E started in 1958 when then-owner Albert Powell was invited to promote Kenyon's Clam Cake Mix. The second year the building opened, he filled his truck with many of his signature red one pound boxes, drove up to The Bay State, and proudly displayed them around the booth. Powell quickly realized that giving away samples helped draw the hungry crowds. At that time, he used a Coleman Gasoline Pump Stove and an open pot of oil.

In 1971, when my dad was about to purchase the mill, he came up to the Big E to see how the booth operated. Sitting on a bench nearby, he was joined by a customer who had just purchased a bag of Clam Cakes. My dad inquired if they were any good, to which the gentleman replied, "Delicious! I get them every year." When asked if he had to wait long, the man responded, "Oh, no, I only had to wait 45 minutes! Last year, I waited over an hour and a half."

Things are a lot different today! We now operate a fully staffed, commercial kitchen that is more than capable of keeping up with the fairgoers' appetites. For over 50 years, we have been carrying on the tradition while helping to fund the preservation of Rhode Island's oldest continuously-operating manufacturing business. For more information on the Big E, visit TheBigE.com. Watch footage from Fox & Friends here and The Rhode Show here.

Mill Shop Hours

Genuine Stone Ground Corn Meal and Flours, Old Fashioned Mixes, and Wholesome Pancake Mixes are only a few of the products sold in the Old Grist Mill Store. This small country shop is located across the street from the mill and features a variety of other Rhode Island items, perfect for stocking stuffers and holiday gifts. Hours are Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. until December 29th. Winter hours are Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and run January 2nd to April 11th. We also ship anywhere in the country. Visit our online store here.

Miller's Tale

There is an expression: "I have been through the mill". This usually means that significant difficulties have taken place. We have all endured some setbacks at one point or another, yet I am reminded that even in the mill grinding process a magnificent change takes place. Kernels of corn are ground into cornmeal, which makes an easier form of food. Obstacles can be an opportunity to create something even better. After grinding, sifting is when all of the harder pieces are separated and removed. This is like letting go of things that don't serve you - the grief and pain, anger and negativity, and lack of forgiveness. The result is a much more refined product.

With only hot water, cornmeal can be readily eaten like porridge. With extra effort, you could add a touch of sugar and salt, and tap spoonfuls of mix onto an oiled griddle. Twelve minutes later, they become Johnny Cakes. Add some butter and maple syrup and you've got a delectable treat. Over the years, we have been so honored to have Mr. Donnelly provide cooking demonstrations to visitors. With over 60 years of experience, he has developed recipes that are truly unique and always goes a step further with his cornmeal creations. For a video and recipes, click here.

Regardless of what you have been through, you can attempt to change your world with thoughts and perception. Your attitude can shape the outcome of your efforts. When you approach life with passion, optimism, and determination, you can create some pretty amazing Johnny Cakes from corn kernels.

Sincerely,

Paul Drumm III