Finally, sweet corn is back at Fresno State. How crazy will the lines get this year?

When Fresno State says its sweet corn is the most well-known product at the Rue and Gwen Gibson Farm Market, it’s not just hyperbole.

Students planted the first seeds as a test project in 1982, selling the crop on the corner of Chestnut and Barstow avenues.

Four decades later and the school makes a big deal of each year’s first crop, which typically arrives around Memorial Day.

It has become its own season.

As in, Fresno State corn is back in season and will be on sale starting at 8 a.m. Friday — though university mascot Victor E. Bulldog will be welcoming customers as early as 6:30 a.m., which means the market is expecting a crowd.

As it should. Hundreds of people showed up in 2020, despite the coronavirus pandemic and heat warnings on the day. By afternoon, the market had sold its daily stock of 34,521 ears.

Pricing and quantities

Both the yellow and white varieties will be on sale Friday.

Three ears cost $2 inside the market, though customers can get 10 ears, pre-bagged, at one of two mobile stations outside the store. Those bags are $8.50 and available while supplies last.

The school says it has planted enough corn to supply the market through the end of August, though daily supplies can vary and customers can call 559-278-4511 to get updates on produce availability.

Market hours and other products

As is typical for the season, the market is extending its hours for the summer and will be open 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays through Fridays; 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturdays; and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sundays.

Along with the corn, the store sells other campus-raised produce including apricots, cucumbers, cherries, green beans, peaches, squash and strawberries. Watermelons, peppers and tomatoes are expected to arrive in mid-June with table grapes following in July.

For those with a sweet tooth, the campus creamery added a new flavor this year: butter pecan. In all there are more than 20 flavors available, include peach and black cherry.