YOUNGSTOWN — Ellen Zban wasn’t sure about the fate that awaited new plants she bought, but she hopes the place from where she made the purchase will plant another major seed in the city’s growth and betterment.

“When I get home, I’ll put them in containers and see how I do,” Zban, of Youngstown, said, referring to her tomato and collard green varieties.

She was among those who bought plants and other items from the Cornerstone Collective Market on Saturday that was set up outside the former Bottom Dollar store, 2649 Glenwood Ave., on the South Side.

Saturday’s was the first of seven markets at which merchandise such as fresh, sustainable and healthful foods and locally-made products will be sold to help area small businesses and, by extension, better the city via helping to tackle food insecurities, Carmella M. Williams, the Intentional Development Group’s chief executive officer, noted.

The remaining six markets will be 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday and July 19, Aug. 2 and 23, and Sept. 13 and 27 at the Glenwood Avenue location. Each setup will feature some of the same vendors, but also others who will be offering different foods and other merchandise, she said.

The IDG works to ensure bridges are built between the area’s small businesses, government resources and philanthropy. The organization provides the service- and food-based businesses with technical assistance and opportunities such as Saturday’s community market so they can showcase their offerings, Williams said.

The Cornerstone Collective Market, which is a producer-only market, also works with local farmers and growers. In addition, since 2021, the IDG has distributed more than $400,000 in grants and technical assistance to many of the city’s small businesses, she said.

The organization also has a strong partnership with Mercy Health, Williams said, adding that she hopes the market will eventually move into the closed grocery store and operate year-round.

“I want gardeners to have a way to get free plants,” Lady Buggs, director of the Mahoning Food Access program, said.

Buggs was on hand Saturday to provide several varieties, along with free seed packets, that included collard greens, okra, snap peas, tomatoes and nasturtiums. The underlying idea was to encourage people to grow their own food and, in the process, be more self-sufficient, she said.

Items being sold Saturday also included hair lotions, freshly pressed juices, samples of granola products and other foods.

In addition, the gathering featured line dancing, courtesy of the School of Slay; a community walk that the Sole Steppers group led; and a disc jockey named Kick Drum.

Having the Cornerstone Collective Market is beneficial also because grocery prices continue to rise and many stores have closed, the latest of which was the Sparkle Market on South Avenue in Boardman, said Zban, a retired human resources worker. To help eradicate food insecurities, such opportunities that the market provides need to be citywide, she added.

“I’m grateful people are supporting the farmers. It’s good to go where the people are,” Zban said, adding that she intends to patronize many of the markets the rest of this season.