Phillip Lochbaum / The Collegian
The Rue and Gwen Gibson Farm Market is offering much more than wine and produce this holiday season””they’re giving costumers the opportunity to experience the university’s agriculture department in a new way with seasonal items and events.
The Gibson Farm Market is preparing for the holiday season by using the help of student assistants, chairmen from various agriculture departments and by offering organic workshops headed by Dr. Sajeemas “Mint” Pasakdee.
“There are a lot of customers who shop for organic products in the valley and we are able to work with Dr. Pasakdee to organize monthly U-Pick events,” Jennifer Sobieralski, Enterprise Product Marketing and Gibson Farm Market Manager, said.
The organic workshops teach customers about the science and work behind the production of the plants, and allow them to pick what they want straight from the field.
“We take full advantage of being a smaller operated store in a city that is surrounded by other large markets, by offering our customers this chance to become a part of our team and a part of the food they love,” Sobieralski said.
The Gibson Farm Market’s annual Give A Gobbler drive started last week to give shoppers an opportunity to support local community banks by donating $25. The donation will give a Fresno State turkey to a family in need through the Community Food Bank or the Poverello House for Christmas.
“People normally come in during this time of year for our fresh quantity of almonds, raisins and dairy products that they use for baking, but our drive is focused on ensuring that those in need can enjoy our quality food this holiday,” Sobieralski said.
Student assistants at the Gibson Farm Market are in charge of maintaining the amount of products on the sales floor, and they are able to give knowledgeable advice on how to prepare for holiday meals.
Student assistant Billy Jones said the Gibson Farm Market carries Fresno State Peppermint Candy, Pumpkin and Eggnog ice cream right now, made by student workers at the Dairy Processing Unit. The Gibson Farm Market started selling eggnog three weeks ago as a drink too.
“We have special holiday raisins that you can bake your cookies with, three different holiday wines which are great gifts, and we also carry fresh hams and turkeys two weeks before Christmas,” Jones said.
Jones also said the Gibson Farm Market’s success during the holiday season is due to the fact that everything sold at the store comes from Fresno State’s agriculture department.
“Other stores seem to push out a lot of products for the holiday season, but our customers come back every year because they know how much work we put into bringing them the very best,” Sobieralski said. “I will admit that some of the items at the Gibson Farm Market will be more expensive than other stores, but out products stand apart because they are locally grown and have a quality of freshness straight from the farm.”
Agricultural education major Chelsea Cushing said she feels proud to be part of a school that offers fresh quality products grown and sold by Fresno State students.
“I like the fact that I can purchase something that was in the field a few hours before I bought it,” Cushing said. “It doesn’t get much fresher than that.”