HOW IT ALL STARTED OVER 39 YEARS AGO

Starting 1973, Trudi Temple was creating flower arrangements to raise funds for local ...

...churches and missions in poverty-stricken countries. When she could no longer supply enough flowers from her garden, she began buying them wholesale at Chicago’s famous Randolph Street market.

Trudi discovered the market also sold fresh produce. She formed a food cooperative...

 

...in her neighborhood, driving to Chicago each week to buy products that she would then offer to friends and neighbors to support her missionary work.

In 1975, Trudi’s daughter asked her to bake a cake for a school fundraiser. Trudi brought cases of fresh produce instead, and the idea was a huge hit!

The following week the first "Produce Day was held...

 

 

...at Walker School in Clarendon Hills, Illinois. News spread quickly and it wasn’t long before other schools were requesting similar programs. Trudi began supplementing produce with meats, seafood and poultry, and Produce Day became a monthly Market Day program at schools.

Raising millions for education

The Market Day concept was born and grew to help serve schools, churches and nonprofits in their fundraising efforts donating over $400 million to public education throughout the United States.

Market Day is back - 2019 / working with today's school needs.

In 2019, the Market Day brand was acquired by Market Day Local, Inc. Starting in September 2019 the Market Day fundraising program and beloved Market Day products will be available for direct home delivery for all Market Day fans.

We are grateful for the vision Trudi inspired and showing us that a woman with a plan, a truck and a lot of hard work can change the world!