Guest Writer: Kristi Reitz, PhD
In today’s world, food is everywhere but understanding where it comes from is becoming increasingly rare.
At Better Life Chiropractic & Wellness, we often hear patients say:
“I don’t know where to find organic foods, clean meat vendors, and local resources.”
It’s a fair concern. After moving to the Sheboygan area 11 years ago, it took time to navigate and investigate local resources.
While chain grocery stores offer convenience, many of those foods travel hundreds - or even thousands - of miles before reaching your plate. On average, food in the United States travels about 1,500 miles from farm to consumer. Along the way, freshness, nutrient quality, and transparency can all be compromised. Often, you end up paying more for less connection and less quality.
The good news?
Right here in Sheboygan County, we have an incredible local food system that makes it easier than ever to eat well, feel better, and reconnect with your food.
If you’re new to this idea or feeling like the options are overwhelming, you’re in luck because Nourish Farms is hosting their annual Local Food Fair on May 9th, 2026, from 9am-2pm, where you can dip your toes into the local food soil with ease.
Why Eating Local Matters for Your Health
Eating local isn’t just a trend—it’s a powerful way to support your body (and your community) from the inside out.
When food is grown close to home, it is typically:
Fresher (harvested closer to peak ripeness)
More nutrient-dense
Less processed and preserved
Grown with greater care and transparency
And here’s something most people don’t realize:
Only about 1 in 10 Americans eat the recommended amount of vegetables each day. Adolescents eat even fewer vegetables.
The average American eats fewer than 2 servings of vegetables per day, well below recommendations.
The most commonly consumed vegetables in the U.S. are potatoes and tomatoes—often in processed forms like fries, chips, and ketchup.
This means many people are missing out on the wide variety of nutrients found in fresh, whole, locally grown foods.
From a health perspective, this matters.
The foods you eat directly influence:
Energy levels
Inflammation
Digestion
Immune function
Even how your nervous system adapts and heals
When you consistently fuel your body with whole, high-quality foods, you create an environment where your body can function the way it was designed to without interference.
Meet Your Farmer: Why Connection Changes Everything
There’s something powerful about shaking the hand of the person who grew your food.
When you know your farmer, you gain:
Confidence in how your food is raised and processed
The ability to ask questions and learn (don’t worry this will come with time)
A deeper appreciation for the work behind every meal
A stronger connection to your community
And here’s where it gets even more impactful:
Studies show that people who shop at farmers markets are more likely to try new fruits and vegetables and increase dietary variety.
Dietary diversity is directly linked to better gut health, improved nutrient intake, and overall resilience.
Most people tend to eat the same 10–15 foods on repeat each week, limiting the nutrients their body receives.
But when you walk through a farmers market, something shifts. You see what’s in season, you try something new, and you begin to reconnect with food in a meaningful way. This is where real lifestyle change begins.
This connection often leads to better choices—not because you “have to,” but because you want to. This is where real lifestyle change begins. When you surround yourself with a supportive community of like-minded people, gaining access to affordable high-quality food is accessible, fun, and friendly. It becomes an activity that is part of your regular life that you’ll integrate for years to come.
The Logistics: Where to Find Local Food in Sheboygan County
If you’re not sure where to start, here are some of our favorite local resources:
Winter Resources
SCIO Winter Farmers Market
First Congregational Church, 310 Bluff Ave, Sheboygan, WI 53081
1st and 3rd Saturdays, November through April
A great way to stay connected to local food even during Wisconsin winters. You’ll find meats, storage crops, baked goods, greenhouse grown greens, and more.
Summer Resources
SCIO Summer Farmers Market
Fountain Park, Sheboygan
Every Wednesday & Saturday
One of the best places to explore local produce, meet farmers, and enjoy the full experience of seasonal eating.
Plymouth Farmers Market
Stayer Park, 39 S. Stafford St., Plymouth, WI
Thursdays, June 18th – October 16th, 2025
3:00–6:00 PM
A fantastic midweek option with a wide variety of local vendors.
Year-Round Options
SloFood Market
An excellent selection of organic, clean products—including meats, produce, and convenient grab-and-go items. Many offerings come directly from local sources.
Nature’s Best Market
A large selection of affordable organic produce and natural products, making healthy choices more accessible for families.
Where We Get Our Meat
One of the most common questions we hear is: “Where can I find clean, high-quality meat?”
Our go-to is LedgeCrest Family Farm.
They offer responsibly raised poultry, beef, and pork and are accessible year-round:
At the SCIO Winter Farmers Market
At the Plymouth Summer Farmers Market
Also, sometimes available for special order
We also supplement with options from Stefano’s Slo Food Market and other trusted local sources.
No Time for the Market? Try a CSA
If your schedule makes it difficult to attend markets, a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) share is a great solution.
With a CSA, you receive regular boxes of fresh, seasonal produce directly from local farms.
Two great local options:
Research shows that CSA participants tend to eat more vegetables overall and waste less food, simply because they plan meals around what’s fresh and available.
It’s one of the easiest ways to consistently bring high-quality, local food into your home.
Another Option: Sheboygan County REKO
For a flexible, modern approach, check out Sheboygan County REKO.
This system connects you directly with local producers through:
Online ordering
Pop-up style pickups
Similar to the farmers markets, direct-to-consumer food systems like REKO often provide greater transparency and shorter supply chains, which can improve both food quality and trust. It’s a convenient way to access local food while still supporting farmers directly.
From Food to Function: The Bigger Picture
At Better Life Chiropractic & Wellness, we talk a lot about helping people live their Better Life.
And that starts with understanding the why behind your choices.
Food is more than fuel—it’s information for your body.
Diets rich in whole, minimally processed foods are consistently associated with lower inflammation, better gut health, and improved long-term outcomes.
When you choose local, whole foods:
You support your body’s ability to heal and adapt
You reduce unnecessary stress from processed inputs
You build habits that actually stick—because they make sense
And when you meet the people behind your food, that transformation becomes even more meaningful.
Start Simple
You don’t have to change everything overnight.
Start with one small step:
Attend the Nourish Local Food Fair
Visit a farmers market
Attend a Cooking Class at Nourish
Talk to a vendor at the market - ask where they farm
Try one new local product
Sign up for a CSA
People who make small, consistent changes are far more likely to sustain long-term health improvements than those who try to overhaul everything at once.
From here, momentum builds.
Supporting Local, Supporting Health
Organizations like Nourish Farms play a vital role in connecting our community to food, education, and local agriculture.
By supporting local farmers, markets, and food systems, you’re not just improving your own health—you’re investing in the health of your entire community.
Your Better Life Starts Here
Better health doesn’t come from doing more—it comes from understanding more.
And sometimes, it starts with something as simple as getting to know your farmer. You’re investing in yourself, your family, and community.
Kristi Reitz, PhD, is co-owner of Better Life Chiropractic & Wellness in Sheboygan, Wisconsin. She is passionate about building a healthier community through education, local partnerships, and sustainable lifestyle practices. Kristi believes that understanding where your food comes from is a powerful step toward better health and ultimately, a Better Life and is proud to support organizations like Nourish Farms in connecting people to food education and local food systems. You’ll find Kristi and her husband, Dr. John, at the Local Food Fair.