Driscoll’s, the global berry brand known for its strawberries, raspberries, blackberries and blueberries, has committed $5 million to California Polytechnic State University's College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences.
The funds will support the creation of a cutting-edge “farm store” located within the university’s newly conceived six-acre Plant Sciences Complex. The facility is designed to serve as a learning laboratory. Students will not only grow and produce products but will also market and sell directly to campus and local customers, gaining hands-on experience in the full food supply chain from cultivation to retail.
Driscoll’s will receive naming rights for the store, and their berries will be featured among the products offered. According to company executive Brie Reiter Smith, a Cal Poly alumna, the investment is a way to help build the next generation of food-system and agriculture leaders by offering real-world learning environments.
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Brian Horgan, dean of the college, described support from industry partners like Driscoll’s as vital to preparing students to meet the pressures of a changing agricultural landscape.
Construction of the store is expected to begin next year with an anticipated opening in summer 2027.
This initiative positions Driscoll’s not only as a donor but as an active partner in education, innovation and workforce development for the food and agriculture sector. By integrating retail, production and academic training in one facility, the company and university aim to equip students with skills to address evolving demands in food systems, sustainability and consumer engagement.
