Snow is on the ground and temperatures still hover around zero, but work has begun for the Cartwright Downtown Farmers Market new season.

“The 2019 season was great, and we plan to offer even more this year,” farmers market coordinator Trish Wilder of Marshalltown said.

The non-profit farmers market offers fresh fruits and vegetables, home-made baked goods, crafts and a host of other products beginning late spring through late fall at the North Second Avenue shelter next to the Binford House.

The site is owned by the city and has a decades-long history of selling fruits and vegetables among other goods during the growing season.

“We are excited to announce a partnership with the Central Business District,” Wilder said. “We will be working with CBD in ongoing efforts to rebuild downtown and other stricken areas post-tornado. I represent farmers market on the CBD Promotions and the Holiday Stroll board. We will be involved in many of the downtown promotions. We also have a partnership and strong working relationship with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach — Marshall County. This includes their Master Gardeners, 4-H and Family Nutrition Program.”

Wilder and an all-volunteer board have scheduled an informal question and answer session for vendors and others.

“From 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on March 2, we will be at the Marshalltown Public Library,” she said. “Interested vendors and others can drop during that time to learn about our market. We welcome questions and new vendors.”

Several volunteer coordinators from the Marshalltown area preceded Wilder before she took over last year.

Wilder had been a vendor previously, and was encouraged by other coordinators to take a leadership role, which she embraced.

She and team developed a new logo, recruited new vendors and made other changes.

“We will be announcing more changes as we near the 2020 season opening date, which is pending,” Wilder said.

For more information, contact Wilder at 641-351-9181, or visit the farmers market Facebook page.

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Contact Mike Donaheyat mdonahey@timesrepublican.com or 641-753-6611