A Central Valley summer favorite, Fresno State sweet corn returns to the Gibson Farm Market (5368 N. Chestnut Ave.) on Saturday, May 24.
The market will be open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Fresno State live mascot Victor E. Bulldog IV will welcome customers from 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m.
Shoppers can buy yellow corn for 49 cents per ear. Two other varieties, white and a yellow and white bi-color, will be available the week of May 26.
The Gibson Farm Market will be open extra hours Memorial Day weekend, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday and Monday, May 25 and 26.
The first of 71 acres of sweet corn this year was planted on campus on Jan. 8. Additional blocks have been planted since to supply the market through the end of August.
Sweet corn fans can also purchase a new elote seasoning, corn-flavored candy, and new corn-themed and Fresno State agriculture T-shirts, hats and jackets.
Sweet corn is one of over 100 fresh, student-produced goods from the adjacent 1,000-acre University Agricultural Laboratory, one of the nation’s largest college on-campus farms.
The history of campus sweet corn dates back to 1981, when a faculty member and students planted a test project on campus. In 1982, it was sold for the first time at a smaller farm stand on the corner of Chestnut and Barstow avenues, before the Jordan College of Agricultural Sciences and Technology celebrated the completion of the Gibson Farm Market in 2013.
The market will extend its summer hours to a seven-day schedule starting May 24 through the end of August. Normal daily summer hours are 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays through Fridays; 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturdays; and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sundays.
The produce section also currently features strawberries, apricots, cucumbers, green beans, nectarines and squash, which includes a new variety, Mexican squash.
Several newer pepper varieties – Fresno, pasilla, Poblano and serrano – will arrive with tomatoes and watermelons in June. Other commodities like table grapes will follow in July.
The Fresno State Winery is featuring a student-crafted Cabernet Sauvignon wine that is discounted 20% off through May, and a Chardonnay with the same discount in June. Both vintages pair well with sweet corn and are made with grapes from award-winning vineyards on campus and near Santa Maria.
The 2025 Graduate’s Reserve, designed by its senior winemakers, and special Fresno State graduation-themed wine glasses, wine stoppers and bottle openers are available.
The raisin section is restocked with eight varieties – autumn king, autumn royal, flame, scarlet royal, Selma Pete, summer royal, sweet scarlet and Thompson – that were recently processed by viticulture and enology students.
The candy section will feature new flavored almonds – strawberry yogurt, cherry creme, coffeehouse and dark chocolate turbinado.
The campus creamery has over 20 ice cream flavors available made from campus dairy milk, which include two summer favorites, black cherry and peach. A new, water-soaked cheese is also available thanks to new cheese processing equipment.
Herb and watermelon seedlings will be available to plant in gardens from the horticulture nursery.
Produce supplies can vary, and customers can call 559.278.4511 for daily updates on availability or check the farm market’s Instagram and Facebook accounts.
