Abstract We focus on Riesz MV-algebras, which are MV-algebras equipped with a multiplication by numbers in the real interval [0,1]. In analogy with a work in preparation for MV-algebras by the same authors, we consider for every integer n the Riesz MV-algebra of all continuous functions from the n-th power of [0,1] to [0,1] and the Riesz MV-subalgebras thereof. In particular we study the Riesz MV-subalgebras isomorphic to free Riesz MV-algebras with finitely many generators, possibly different from the usual linear models given by what we call Riesz-McNaughton functions (and which generalize McNaughton functions used in the case of MV-algebras). In doing this we characterise zerosets of Riesz-McNaughton functions by means of polyhedra, and...