Redbird Fresh Market

The Redbird Fresh Market is a program that brings fresh fruits and vegetables right to our campus. Open to all students, the Redbird Fresh Market offers low-cost, high-quality produce once a week for eight weeks.

Developed by students for students

This program was developed by a group of students within the College of Business’ Innovative Consulting Community course in which they were charged to increase access to fresh produce for students, particularly those living off-campus. They researched several examples at various institutions, including the popular ISU Fresh Favs program from years ago.

How it works

Participants pay a one-time fee at the time of registration and pick up produce on campus once a week for eight weeks. Typically, participants receive a 50/50 split of fruits and vegetables. Produce is bundled together for convenient pickup each week. Although the Redbird Fresh Market was designed for students, faculty and staff are also welcome to participate.

Cost

$64.00 for eight weeks (only $8.00 per week!)
One shopping bag is filled with approximately 8-10 produce items each week. Since the Redbird Fresh Market buys produce in bulk, the cost is low for participants.

This program is limited to 200 bags. Registration for fall semester begins August 10, 2026.

Distribution

Bags are available for pickup every Friday on the second floor of the Bone Student Center, across from Qdoba. Pickup times on Fridays are between 12:00 – 4:00 pm

Fall semester pick-up dates:

Friday, September 25, 2026
Friday, October 2, 2026
Friday, October 9, 2026
Friday, October 16, 2026
Friday, October 23, 2026
Friday, October 30, 2026
Friday, November 6, 2026
(no pick ups November 13 & 20, 2026)
Friday, November 27, 2026

Always wash your produce before consuming. Follow these simple steps from the FDA to be sure your produce is clean to eat.

*Participants must pick up by 4:00 on Friday. Any bags not picked up by 4:00 will be donated to the School St. Food Pantry.

What is in the bag?

Produce varies each week, depending on the season and availability. A bag for one week may include:

½ pound bunch of grapes
2 Apples
2 oranges
1 tomato
½ pound of baby carrots
1 cucumber
1 yellow pepper
1 head of romaine lettuce

Should you not like a certain vegetable or fruit in that week’s bag, you may leave the item on a share table within our distribution area. If items have been placed there from others, you can swap them for a fruit or veggie you like!

Sponsor a Student

Every student deserves the support they need to thrive. Faculty, staff, and community members are invited to “sponsor” a student in need by ordering a weekly produce bag at any time throughout the year. Sponsored funds are set aside to support a student for the full eight-week program each semester, during which the student will receive the same weekly produce bag as other participants. We will ensure your gift reaches a student who could really use it.

Sponsor a Student!

Are you a student in need of sponsorship? Sponsorship requests for fall semester will be made available in August 2026.