Fresno State Farm Market: A Source of Pride in Fresno California

The Fresno State Farm Market is an inspirational showing of what college kids can do when given the chance. The Farm Market is located at 2385 West Barstow Avenue at Chestnut Avenue in Fresno, California. The Farm Market is part of the Fresno State campus and offers free parking for customers.

The Fresno State Farm Market is the brainchild of Rue and Gwen Gibson, who started the market 20 years ago to give Fresno State Ag students a chance to sell the produce they were growing. The produce is grown on the 950 acre student farm which is located on and near the Fresno State campus.

What can you find at the Fresno State Farm Market?

Though I had heard of the Fresno State Farm Market, I had never been there. During a recent trip back to Fresno, I made sure to stop at the market to see what they had to offer. I was more than impressed at the different fresh fruits, veggies, olive oil, wine, ice cream, milk, nuts, jerky and salsa the market had to offer. Knowing that everything was grown or produced by Fresno State Agricultural Sciences and Technology students made it that much more enjoyable.

The Fresno State Farm Market offers different types of produce, depending on the time of the year. You may find strawberries, sweet corn, zucchini and apricots on your visit, or maybe a fresh load of peaches, watermelon, grapes and squash. The market is not large, but during my visit it was full of people looking for a good deal and fresh grown produce.

Can you sample the products at the Fresno State Farm Market?

The Fresno State Farm Market offers a lot of free samples, so you can taste the different raisins, try the confetti cake ice cream or dip into a sample of their olive oil with fresh bread. I highly recommend the Fresno State Summer Royal raisins. They are three times the size of a regular raisin and are juicy and delicious.

Does Fresno State have a winery?

In 1997 California State University of Fresno (Fresno State) started "the first commercial winery on a university campus in the United States." The Fresno State Farm Market sells different types of Fresno State wines, from a table wine to the gold medal award winning 2006 San Joaquin County Zinfandel. All of the wines are produced and bottled by Fresno State Vineyards.

Does the Fresno State Farm Market offer gift baskets?

You can choose from a selection of gift baskets or boxes at the market. They will make up the gift basket for you for a nominal fee. You can have a basket of Fresno State wines wrapped up to take to your best friend, or mix and match nuts and produce for your father-in-law. They will appreciate the gift!

What are the hours of operation for the Fresno State Farm Market?

Winter and Spring Hours:
Mon-Fri 9 am to 6 pm
Sat 9 am to 4 pm
Sun 11 am to 4 pm

Summer Hours:
Mon-Fri 8 am to 7 pm
Sat 9 am to 5 pm
Sun 11 am to 5 pm

You can contact the market by calling 559-278-4511 or go to their website by clicking here. To see some photographs I took of my recent trip to the Fresno State Farm Market, click here.

Source:Author's opinion based on trip to the market and thorough enjoyment of the raisins, olive oil, ice cream and wine I purchased during my visit.