In 1973, Trudi 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 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. The Market Day concept was born.
Market Day is a Family of Fundraisers®. In addition to our monthly food program,
Market Day provides a variety of fundraising services including A Taste of Market Day and single event Brochure and Cookie Dough programs. Today Market
Day is a complete fundraising source serving over 6,000 organizations around the country. Click
here to find out more about Market Day’s Family of Fundraising programs.
