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Natural Awakenings Milwaukee Magazine

Local REKO Rings Support Local, Sustainable Community Food Access

Jan 31, 2025 12:00AM ● By Natural Awakenings Milwaukee
The Ozaukee Area and West Bend REKO Rings introduce a fresh approach to sourcing local, organic goods year-round. Inspired by a Finnish model promoting “fair consumption”, REKO uses Facebook groups to connect customers directly with vetted farmers and artisans. Shoppers can pre-order organic produce, pasture-raised meats, honey, microgreens and more—all grown or made sustainably. This system ensures transparency, as customers can inquire directly about farming practices, and it reduces environmental impact by promoting local agriculture.

During the summer, the group pick-ups are every Tuesday evening from 5:30 to 6 p.m. at the Lawrence and Vivian Stockhausen Center in West Bend, and Thursdays at the same time at the Grafton Farm and Fleet. The winter month’s pickups are every other week for both groups: Ozaukee is the first and third Thursday and West Bend is the second and fourth Tuesday. Customers can join any time by first joining the Facebook group and pre-ordering goods. This drive-through pickup system offers convenience and accessibility for all.

Take the opportunity to support small-scale farming while nourishing your family with top-quality, nutritious food.

Joining is simple: search for “West Bend REKO Ring” or “Ozaukee Area REKO Ring” on Facebook, or email Anna Merkt at [email protected] for assistance.