Wellness at Village Market; More Than Just a Grocery Store

When we think about making healthier lifestyle changes, it can feel like we need to change everything at once. Yet so much of our well-being is shaped by the choices we make every day: what we eat, what we put on our bodies and even what we use in our homes. For 44 years, Village Market Specialty Foods has been giving the Fond du Lac community a local place to explore those choices. What began as Sun Valley Natural Foods in 1982 has grown into a store centered around natural and organic foods, locally sourced products and options that support a more intentional approach to everyday living.

I personally find myself at Village Market regularly for their smoothie bar, and their fresh food selection goes far beyond smoothies. They have hot soups that change daily, a fresh grab-and-go deli, salads and bakery items, all made right in the store using ingredients they carry. More recently, you'll also find locally made sourdough bread. Throughout the grocery section there is fresh organic produce, frozen foods, nuts packaged in-house, specialty foods and plenty of options you may not find at a conventional grocery store.

And food is really only one part of what Village Market offers. Their shelves are filled with vitamins and supplements, essential oils, natural body-care products, detergents, cleaning supplies and other household essentials. They also have bulk loose-leaf teas and an extensive selection of bulk herbs and spices. Having so many of these things under one roof creates an opportunity to think about wellness beyond simply "eating healthy." It can include what we bring into our homes, what we use on our bodies, where our food comes from and how our everyday choices support both ourselves and our local community.

Perhaps the most important part of making lifestyle changes is remembering that they don't have to happen all at once. You might walk into Village Market for a smoothie or a bowl of fresh soup and leave having discovered a new tea, locally made product or alternative to something you already use every day. Creating a lifestyle that supports our well-being can begin with curiosity and one small choice at a time. For more than four decades, Village Market has been giving Fond du Lac a place to explore what those choices might look like. Village Market Specialty Foods is located at 806 S. Main Street in Fond du Lac.