On Monday in the Pilot House Plaza, Mack’s Market will be hosting its second annual Demo Day. From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., students can grab a grilled cheese and a Monster drink or Odwalla smoothie, among an assortment of other goodies. And the best part: it’s all free.
Bon Appetit Manager Cory Shimada said the event is intended to give back to the University of Portland community.
The event aims to bring the the market out into the open so that students know what kinds of things they can count on getting there.
“There are a lot of kids that go to The Commons only, so they don’t even know the market exists,” Shimada said. “I wanted to create awareness of not only that the market exists, but these are the kind of products we offer.”
In August, Bon Appetit General Manager Kirk Mustain said that the stock in the market has shifted from mainly organic brands, to brands that students are more likely to recognize, such as Frito-Lay and Oreo. Now, he said, students can expect to see 80 percent of products consistently, while the other 20 percent will be a mix of new products.
Shimada said he expects to host companies like Coca-Cola, Odwalla and Honest Tea, in addition to venders like local ice cream favorite Ruby Jewel. He also said that Franz Bakery will hopefully bring its grilled cheese truck.
“We’re not selling anything,” Shimada said. “Everything is going to be free.”
But it’s not just food that students can find at the event.
“Some brands give shirts or bags, it’s not always food,” said Caitie Cameron, a cashier in Mack’s Market.
In addition to the free swag and food that will be available at the event, Shimada said they will be raffling off two long boards.
Last year was the first time Mack’s Market put on an event of this kind, when it hosted roughly 20 vendors on a Friday during fall semester. This year, Shimada said he plans for about 30 vendors and expects that the event being held on a Monday will draw a greater crowd.
“It’s the worst day of the week so we're trying to make it the best for just one day.” Shimada said. “Come and check it out, everything is free so you're not going to waste any money.”
