May 13, 2008

Move over olive oil and wines, Fresno State’s popular sweet corn has made its annual grand entrance – two weeks early thanks to warmer weather!

Fresno State’s student-produced sweet corn arrived Monday at the university’s Farm Market at Chestnut and Barstow avenues.

Dr. Ganesan Srinivasan, director of the university farm, said there should be plenty of both white and yellow corn available through the summer and well into fall.

“Due to increased demand for sweet corn, we planted additional acreages this year,” Srinivasan said.  “Warm spring weather has moved up the arrival of corn by two weeks compared to last year.”

The corn, which draws long lines every summer, is priced at four ears for $1.

“In spite of higher input and labor costs, we will keep our prices at last year’s levels to serve our loyal customers,” said Jennifer Sobieralski, Farm Market manager. 

This week, the Farm Market is open 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. through Thursday, and then new, extended summer hours, including Sundays, begin June 1.

The summer hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The arrival of Fresno State’s sweet corn is one of the most anticipated events of the year, evidenced by roughly 30 phone calls a day for the past several months from campus and community callers. Customers want to know when they can line up to be one of the first to receive the corn, said Farm Market student employee Jimmy Pierce. 

“Here at the Farm Market, we have definitely been preparing to sell sweet corn,” said Pierce, a 20-year-old sophomore from Santa Maria who is majoring in agricultural education. “We have been doing extra cleaning and reorganization, which includes rearranging and moving top sellers such as wine and olive oil, to make room for the corn.”

Customers are reminded that Chestnut Avenues is closed and access is from Barstow Avenue. But even that may not be a factor.

“The Farm Market could be surrounded by the Great Wall of China and nothing would stop our corn-lovers from getting their Fresno State sweet corn,” said Pierce.

All proceeds from the Fresno State farm go to strengthen the teaching and research mission of the College of Agricultural Sciences and Technology. In addition to corn, the Farm Market’s current list of fresh produce includes nectarines, peaches, plums, apricots, cherries, green beans, cucumbers and summer squash.  

Also available are award-winning Fresno State wines, the recently released Estate Reserve Olive Oil produced from campus-grown olives and frozen meats, including a variety of sausage. The fresh meat counter is open all day Thursday, Friday and Saturday throughout the summer.

For more information, call 559.278.4511.