While all students know to grab Chick-fil-A, Panda Express or Starbucks at the Colvard Student Union, students new to Mississippi State University may overlook the Union’s State Fountain Bakery. 
Nestled amongst the Union’s fast-food chains, the bakery offers delicious desserts, refreshing acai bowls, smoothies and coffee Monday-Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. 
Carolyn Payne, the marketing coordinator for the State Fountain Bakery, described the bakery’s history and lasting impact. 
“State Fountain Bakery has been an MSU staple since 1921. Some signature items include chess pie, Turkish macaroons and dog bone cookies,” Payne said. “You can place orders at the bakery like birthday cakes or tailgating desserts. A lot of alumni come to visit the bakery as well.”  
Payne detailed her collaboration with the bakers to promote their signature sweets that attract alumni and current students alike.
“Every week, Amanda and Angel, our exceptionally talented bakers, brainstorm themes for the bakery. This year, we have seen some exciting ones, including Strawberry Barbie week, Chocolate Eruption week, Birthday week, Hostess week and Breast Cancer Awareness Week,” Payne said. 
Payne further explained her role in the weekly changes.
“My daily task involves showcasing these new menu items on our social media platforms. We also share each week’s themes on digital TVs in the dining halls,” Payne said. 
Students can see Payne’s pictures of colorful baked goods and admire the weekly themes on the bakery’s Instagram if they forget to look at the advertisements throughout the dining halls.
The Instagram posts display the bakery’s special treats for each season like their heart-shaped petit fours for Valentine’s Day and pumpkin-shaped cookies for Thanksgiving. Spooky-themed sweets are likely to make an appearance soon as Halloween quickly approaches.
In addition to the festive treats, the bakery also has some long-term staples. 
Madison Lott, a junior aerospace engineering major, has frequented the bakery every couple of weeks since her freshman year. Lott shared some insight into her go-to items. 
“The acai bowls and smoothies are good lunch or afternoon snack options. They are lighter and better for you than fried food,” Lott said.
For those who opt for something a little more decadent, Lott has another recommendation. 
“I love the apple fritters as a pick-me-up breakfast too,” Lott said.
Bridgette Shereyk, a junior social work major, also visits the bakery regularly. Unlike many freshmen who walk right past this hidden gem, Shereyk sampled the bakery before ever enrolling at Mississippi State. 
“I first went to the bakery during a campus visit before I became a student at MSU,” Shereyk said.
As for recommendations, Shereyk had a couple highlights of their own. 
“I especially love the variety of donuts and the frosted sugar cookies that they make for every football game,” Shereyk said. “I like these items because a great sweet treat can get me through the day.”
Students like Lott and Shereyk can use their flex dollars at any time at the bakery, but the bakery does not accept block meals.
At the State Fountain Bakery, people have the opportunity to savor something special without ever leaving campus. Each week has a new theme and lots of fun desserts for people to try that keep regular customers coming back again and again.