In the heart of rural Illinois, one pork-producing family is bringing together farm-raised meats, small-town hospitality and a love for feeding families. At Schultz Country Market in Stewardson, Illinois, every purchase supports more than a local business. It becomes part of a family farming story.
STEWARDSON, Ill. — There’s something special about a country meat market tucked away on a rural Illinois farm. It’s the kind of place where the people selling the meat understand the work that goes into raising livestock, where customers are greeted like friends, and where the food on the dinner table tells a story that begins long before it reaches the kitchen.
For the family behind Schultz Country Market, that connection between farm and family is at the heart of everything they do.
Brian, Nola, Austin and Mikaela are part of a family farming operation that raises pigs, grows crops and operates a country meat market in Stewardson, Illinois. Their business brings the agricultural traditions of rural America directly to customers looking for quality meats and a more personal connection to the families producing their food.
And as the holiday season approaches, the Schultz family is reminding customers that some of the most meaningful gifts don’t come wrapped in fancy paper. Sometimes, they come from a family farm, ready to be prepared and shared around the dinner table.
A Country Meat Market With Family at Its Heart
At Schultz Country Market, farming and food are part of everyday life. While many shoppers discover the market through the Effingham Farmers Market, the family’s country store remains open year-round, offering customers an opportunity to purchase meats directly from their rural Illinois business.
But the end of farmers market season doesn’t mean the end of good food. Schultz Country Market continues welcoming customers throughout the year, making it possible to stock the refrigerator or freezer with meats for weeknight dinners, weekend gatherings and holiday celebrations.
A Personal Visit to Schultz Country Market
I had the pleasure of visiting Schultz Country Market during the 2026 FarmTok Beater with a Heater Drive, hosted by Tony and Carolyn Reed. One of our stops took us to the Schultz family’s country meat market, tucked away in the beautiful countryside near Stewardson, Illinois.
Having followed Nola Schultz and her family’s market on TikTok for the past couple of years, I was excited to finally meet them in person and experience their farm market firsthand.
I arrived a little late to the stop, but thankfully, I was still able to enjoy one of the last hamburgers off the grill. And it was delicious. The FarmTok crew did a wonderful job supporting the Schultz family by purchasing their grilled lunch offerings and shopping at the country market.
I also browsed their adorable farm gift shop, where I picked up some homemade garlic butter that turned out to be a hit with both my daughter and me.
Schultz Country Market is one of those rural Illinois gems that reminds me why I love sharing stories about American agriculture. Social media may introduce us to these family farms and small businesses, but visiting in person gives us an even greater appreciation for the hardworking families, delicious food and rural hospitality behind them.
Bringing Variety Back to the Dinner Table
One of the market’s popular offerings is its Weekly Meat Bundle, a rotating selection designed to make meal planning a little easier.
For the week of November 1–7, the bundle features ground beef, brisket burgers, pork steaks and beer brats.
It’s the kind of selection that invites a little creativity in the kitchen. Pork steaks can become the centerpiece of a comforting family supper, while brats make an easy meal for a busy evening. Burgers are always welcome for a casual gathering, and ground beef offers countless possibilities for family favorites.
The concept is simple: provide a variety of meats that customers can build meals around without having to start from scratch every time they plan dinner. For those who don’t live near Stewardson, Illinois, Schultz Country Market also offers shipping, with meat bundle orders going out on Tuesdays. It’s a way for a small rural Illinois business to share its products beyond the local community while keeping the family-farm connection at the center of the experience.
A Meat Subscription That Makes a Thoughtful Holiday Gift
With Thanksgiving and Christmas approaching, Schultz Country Market is encouraging customers to think beyond traditional holiday presents. Instead of another item for the shelf, why not give someone something they’ll actually use and enjoy?
The market’s Market Club offers weekly or biweekly meat bundle deliveries, giving customers a rotating selection of meats for their meals. Memberships can be purchased for periods ranging from one month to 12 months, making them an option for adult children starting their own households, grandparents, empty nesters or anyone who appreciates having quality meat ready for the next meal.
Market Club members also receive an additional pound of ground beef with every bundle order for the lifetime of their membership. For busy families, the convenience is easy to appreciate. Having meat already waiting in the refrigerator or freezer can mean less time planning and shopping and more time gathering around the table.
It’s a practical gift with a personal touch, especially when it comes from a family-owned farm business.
Behind the Market Doors, Farm Life Never Stops
Of course, operating a country meat market is only part of the Schultz family’s story. November has brought a welcome milestone to their farm: harvest is complete. Although fall fieldwork remains, the crops are out of the fields, bringing some relief after another busy growing season.
For Brian and Austin, however, the work continues. A new group of baby pigs recently arrived on the farm, bringing another round of daily chores and responsibilities. Anyone familiar with pork production knows that caring for a new group of pigs means plenty of attention, time and hard work. Meanwhile, Nola and Mikaela have been preparing the market for the holiday shopping season, ordering products and getting ready to welcome customers.
It’s a snapshot of life on a working family farm, where raising livestock, harvesting crops, growing a business and building a future often happen all at once. And that’s part of what makes businesses like Schultz Country Market so special. Behind the meat counter are real people balancing the same hopes, challenges and celebrations as the families they serve.
Celebrate Small Business Saturday in the Illinois Countryside
Schultz Country Market is preparing to kick off the holiday season with its Holiday Open House on Saturday, November 28, 2026, which also happens to be Small Business Saturday. Customers will have an opportunity to shop locally, explore the market’s offerings and pre-order Holiday Meat Bundles.
The family is also scheduled to share more about its holiday offerings during a Facebook Live interview on November 23 at 12:30 p.m. with 97.9 The XRadio and 102.3 KJ Country. For anyone looking to support a rural business this holiday season, a visit to Schultz Country Market offers more than a shopping trip. It’s an opportunity to connect with the people behind the products and experience a small piece of Illinois farm life.
If you do not live near Schultz Country Market, you can order meat bundles on their website. Different sized bundles are available online to have shipped to your doorstep or as gifts.
More Than Customers, Part of the Family Story
As November begins, the Schultz family is reflecting on the things that matter most: faith, family, friends, their farm and homes, and the customers who have supported their business.
Their message of gratitude reflects something deeply rooted in American agriculture: the relationship between the people who produce our food and the communities that support them.
In a recent message to customers, Brian, Nola, Austin and Mikaela shared:
“When you support our family and our Market, you are not just a customer…you become a part of our family’s story. We can’t wait to see you in the Market soon!”
It’s a sentiment that captures the spirit of family-owned country markets across the Midwest. Every pork steak, package of brats and weekly meat bundle represents more than a meal. It represents the people who care for livestock, work the fields, prepare the market and welcome customers through the door.
And this holiday season, Schultz Country Market is offering a reminder that some of the best food experiences don’t require a reservation at a fancy restaurant. Sometimes, they begin with a drive down a country road, a visit to a family-owned meat market and a delicious meal shared with the people you love.
Visit Schultz Country Market
Location: Stewardson, Illinois
Market hours: Thursday and Friday, 10 a.m.–5:30 p.m.; Saturday, 8 a.m.–noon
Holiday Open House: Saturday, November 28, 2026
Shipping: Weekly meat bundles ship on Tuesdays
Schultz Country Market offers weekly meat bundles, Market Club subscriptions and holiday meat gift options. Contact the market for ordering details and current availability.
Pork Industry News | Farm-to-Table Spotlight
Pork Industry News celebrates the pork producers, family farms, country meat markets and rural businesses connecting American agriculture with the food on our tables. This feature was prepared with permission from Schultz Country Market.
