Poe to head NewBo City Market

CEDAR RAPIDS -- The board of directors of the Cedar Rapids City Market Inc. has named Ann Poe as the new executive director of the NewBo City Market.

Poe also is serving her first term on the Cedar Rapids City Council.

Before that, Poe spent three years as the community liaison in Cedar Rapids for the state's Rebuild Iowa Office, and has spent several years working in marketing, management strategies and community planning.

“Ann's experience in the public and private sectors makes her uniquely qualified for this community-based market.” said Patrick DePalma, president of the NewBo Market board of directors. “We are thrilled to have her leadership as we near groundbreaking of this incredible addition to the NewBo neighborhood.”

Also joining the leadership team is Kurt Friese, owner of Devotay, an Iowa City restaurant, and publisher of Edible Iowa River Magazine.

Friese, one of Iowa's foremost experts on local foods, will serve as director of healthy food and advocacy. He will be in charge of vendor selection, vendor relationships and health programming for the market.

“Kurt's record as a champion for locally-grown food speaks for itself. His restaurant buys all of its meat, dairy and 60 percent of all other items from local farm partners," DePalma said.

Julie Palmer, who was executive director, will transition to director of operations. Palmer has been with the market for 2 months, helping lay the foundation for the market's success.

“Quite simply, the market would not be poised for its upcoming groundbreaking, without Julie's help and guidance.” DePalma said.

Groundbreaking for the NewBo City Market is scheduled for April.

About NewBo City Market

The NewBo City Market is a year round public market to be located in the New Bohemia neighborhood at 1100 Third Street SE. The market will offer fresh and prepared foods from local growers and entrepreneurs, community events and health related activities.

It will stimulate economic development and encourage significant growth opportunities for tourism in Cedar Rapids. Learn more about the market at www.newbocitymarket.com and on the market blog at www.newbocitymarket.wordpress.com.