CAL POLY STUDENT MADE
From handcrafted chocolates and artisan cheeses to award-winning wines, students don’t just study food systems — they experience them firsthand by growing, producing, packaging, marketing and selling the products they create. Whether through classes or enterprise projects at on-campus production units, students are involved in every step of the craftsmanship process.
Cal Poly Barbecue Sauce
Since 2013, students have crafted two signature barbecue sauces — Sweet Hickory and Mustang Kick — right from the on-campus pilot plant. Each batch reflects hands-on learning and bold flavor, giving you a taste of student-made quality and creativity.
Cal Poly Ice Cream
Students create a variety of ice cream flavors, from Dutch chocolate and vanilla bean to Mustang Mint, mud pie and strawberries and cream. You can pick up a pint at the Cal Poly Creamery drive-thru, Campus Market or select San Luis Obispo retailers.
Cal Poly Meats
Students at Cal Poly Meats have been proudly serving the community since 1952. Along with fresh beef, pork and chicken, the Cal Poly Meats market sells specialty items such as bacon, sausage, jerky, hot dogs, brisket, tri-tip and ribs.
From the Central Coast with Love
With full access to a state-of-the-art on campus winery, dairy technology center and small batch production kitchen, it's easy to take home a student-made taste of the Central Coast.
Cal Poly Chocolates
For more than 25 years, students have been learning about the science and art of chocolate making. Current and seasonal flavors include milk chocolate, dark chocolate, raspberry crisp, toffee crunch, green tea matcha and hot habanero. Crafted in small batches, each confection reflects the skill, creativity and care behind every step of the process.
Cal Poly Cheese
Students produce seven varieties of gourmet cheese while exploring the science and craft behind each product. From cheddar and Gouda to fromage blanc and the award-winning Triple Peak Brie, you’ll gain hands-on experience creating products recognized at the national level.
Cal Poly Wine
Made in the state-of-the-art JUSTIN and J. LOHR Center for Wine and Viticulture from grapes grown, using sustainable vineyard practices, at the 14-acre Trestle Vineyard on campus. Several varietals, including pinot noir, cabernet sauvignon, syrah, rosé, chardonnay and sauvignon blanc are available.
Cal Poly Plant Shop
The Poly Plant Shop is a full-service nursery that sells landscape and interior plants, cut flowers and flower arrangements. The plant shop holds special sales events for plant and flower enterprise projects each year, including the spring Tomato Spectacular plant sale and the holiday poinsettia sale.
From Sweet and Savory to Organic
Students have been growing, raising and producing food on campus for more than 100 years.
Cal Poly Jam
Students have been making jam for more than 45 years. This successful student-led enterprise now produces more than 15,000 jars of olallieberry, raspberry, blackberry and strawberry jams annually.
Cal Poly Mustard
Smooth Mustard is Cal Poly’s most recent product, with production beginning in 2023. The mustard pairs well with sausage, charcuterie or pretzels. Use it as a delicious dip or as a spread on a sandwich.
Cal Poly Organic Produce
The Organic Farm is an 11-acre unit certified by the California Certified Organic Farmers where students learn sustainable farming and gardening practices and grow dozens of varieties of produce that is sold directly at local farmers’ markets.
Cal Poly Eggs
Cal Poly’s Poultry Unit provides students with hands-on experience in the commercial egg industry. The enterprise is funded by commercial sales, with eggs available for purchase at Cal Poly Meats, Campus Market and at the Poultry Center.
Cal Poly Compost
Producing certified organic material, the Cal Poly Compost unit is overseen by students and processes more than 7,000 cubic yards of manure and 3,500 cubic yards of green waste and wood chips into finished compost that is sold to the public.
Learn More About Compost
