The roof is on and the framing is done as construction of the new Rue and Gwen Gibson Farm Market at Fresno State continues.
The 4,800 square-foot building will have 2,350 square feet of floor space, nearly doubling the retail area of the current market at Chestnut and Barstow avenues. The new Gibson Farm Market is going up just south of the current market. Opening is expected in early 2013.
The new market is possible because of a $1.5 million dollar bequest from the estate of Joyce Mae Gibson. When the gift was announced in 2008, the farm market was renamed to honor her parents, Rue and Gwen Gibson.
Dr. Charles Boyer, dean of the Jordan College of Agricultural Sciences and Technology, said the new Gibson Farm Market will try to amplify a farm to fork theme by stepping beyond the usual role of a store.
“Customers not only will be able to shop for their favorite Fresno State products, they’ll get to see and experience how the products are produced and processed,” Boyer said during the groundbreaking ceremony in April.
The Gibson Farm Market is operated by students in the Jordan College and sells student-grown and student-produced fruits, vegetables, nuts, candies, meat and dairy products, wines and prepared foods. For the holidays, the market offers gift baskets and also has student-raised turkeys available.
The current market remains open during construction. Market hours are 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday.
