A sign points to the indoor farmers market at the First Street Community Center in Mount Vernon, Iowa. (photo/Cindy Hadish)

Farmers, bakers and other vendors who rely on year-round farmers markets for income are turning to creative alternatives in light of the coronavirus pandemic.

Winter markets, including those in Dubuque and Mount Vernon, Iowa, are temporarily closing to comply with Iowa restrictions on gatherings of more than 10 people.

The Dubuque Winter Farmers Market, usually held every Saturday through the end of April, will be closed at least through April 4, while the Mount Vernon market, also held on Saturdays, is canceling its last markets this month, with hopes of reopening for regular outdoor markets on Thursday afternoons beginning in May.

See a list of other indoor markets

Some of the chocolates, organic meat, mushrooms and more typically offered at the Dubuque market, will now be sold through pick-up and delivery options.

Find the list on the Dubuque market’s website.

The same is true in Mount Vernon, where vendors are offering private sales of their specialty desserts, raw honey, walnuts, jams, handmade soap, beef, poultry, pork and other products.

Call or contact the farmers through their websites, below:

~Beef, pork, and poultry meats
Jamie Bierman
twistedoaksmeats.com
Mobile (563) 889-0175

~Specialty Desserts,
(including gluten-free products)
Linda Hurst
slicedabakeryemporium@gmail.com
Mobile (319) 321-7271

~Specialty Cupcakes
Angie Watson
frostedhomemakecupcakes@gmail.com
Mobile (319) 430-3519

~Raw Honey
Lynn St. John
Mobile (319) 270-6614

~ Black Walnuts and Hickory Nuts
Del Lawrence
Mobile (319) 854-7430

~Handmade soaps and
other beauty products
Rebecca Mueller
Locust.grove.farm.ia@gmail.com
Mobile (319) 551-2082
Or follow on Instagram
@ locust_grove_farm

~Homemade Fruit Jams
Laura Strabala
(319) 560-1391

Hold out hope for sunnier days ahead and take a look back at photos from this Czech-inspired farmers market in Toledo, Iowa.