In The Know about Food & Health
Our staff works hard to learn as much as we can about local and organic foods, cooking, special dietary needs, and environmental issues. We’ll provide Action Alerts, information about food safety issues, and provide resources for our shoppers.
In March, the Natural Medicine Journal posted a study conducted by the Shanghai Women's Health Study that shows regular consumption of green tea may affect the development of GI cancers. The study included 74,941 women aged 40–70 that were recr...
Introduction to King Salmon
The rich red meat of a wild Alaska king salmon is a vivid sight. Translucent and buttery, the deep red color comes from pigments in crustaceans in the salmons’ diet. Some king salmon, called &...
The month of May is a festive time in Lawrence that is filled with graduation celebrations, Mother’s Day gatherings, and the vibrant energy of spring. This exciting season inspires us all to reflect upon the meaning of family, and to consider the p...
The Merc works hard to nurture an environment of both opportunity and satisfaction for its employees, which for some of our staff means the opportunity to supply The Merc with goods that they produce locally.
Gina in Wellness is one of ...
The Merc works hard to nurture an environment of both opportunity and satisfaction for its employees, which for some of our staff means the opportunity to supply The Merc with goods that they produce locally.
Emily in Wellness
Classes at The Merc
Classes at The Merc are your opportunity to get fresh cooking ideas, learn about special diets, and gather useful information on healthy lifestyles. Classes are a social, inspiring and affordable way to come enjoy what The Merc has to offer.
In our classes we welcome you into a beautiful and intimate environment, cared for by our hosts, served delicious food, and taught by experienced and well trained chefs, nutrition educators, and holistic health practitioners.
The Mission of our Class Program is to:
We are proud to offer a variety of classes including:
Stop by The Merc's Deli counter for made-to-order sandwiches (hot and cold),salads, soups and fresh smoothies, coffee or espresso drinks.
M-F
M-SatOur pizzas are available our scratch-made crust or a gluten-free crust, all topped with fresh ingredients - local and organic whenever possible. Every week our staff chooses two topping combinations to be our Pizzas of the Week, so check back regularly to see the options!
M-Sat
Stop by and we will make you a sandwich made to order using our finest meats and cheeses that we also sell for you to take and make at home. Our choose one of our classic Merc Specialty Sandwiches.
Our salad bar is fresh daily with all of the fixings you'll want. We even make our own salad dressings in house.
If you are on the go or just want something easy for dinner tonight. Grab a favorite today!
Yes, you read that right. The Merc Bakery is making personal sized fruit pies to help get you through the glorious days of summer. They are the perfect size to share with your best friend, or just keep it all to yourself! Perfect for a summertime picnic, or with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. The flavors will rotate throughout the summer, but the price will always stay at $4.49!
It's available now in The Merc Bakery. Stop on in and grab yourself a slice!
Co-op Calendar events are listed below. To view all Merc events, click on the View Full Calendar link.
7-9pm
Chef Paige will inspire you to create a menu featuring the best of what's available at the Farmers' Market. Enjoy a demonstration and fabulous sampling of Spinach & Goat Cheese Empanadas; an Impromptu Market Salad with Walnuts, Olives & Seasonal Vegetables; Penne with Green & Gold Zucchini & Ricotta; and New Potato Salad with Sauce Gribiche. Paige will end the evening with wonderful Blueberry Pecan Teacakes. Join us for a celebration of local produce!
Taught by: Chef Paige Vandegrift
Location: The Merc's Community Classroom
Cost: $20.00 per person
7-9pm
Rice is the perfect summer food - cook ahead and use it to make so many cool dishes. Explore the wide variety of rice in the Merc's Bulk Department to make delicious and nutritious dishes for every meal, including Brown Rice with Nuts and Raisins; Collard Leaf Rice and Bean Wraps made with Brown Mekong Flower and Madagascar Pink Rice. You'll also enjoy the national dish of Bhutan, Ema Datshi (chilies and cheese with Red Rice) and end with Black Sticky Rice Pudding with Coconut. Rice is so nice.
Taught by: Hilary Kass, MPH
Location: The Merc's Community Classroom
Cost: $18.00 per person
7-9pm
It is such fun to make your own sushi, and even easier without the fish. As you munch on steamed Edamame (green soybeans - so delicious) we'll prepare Perfect Sushi Rice and use it to assemble a variety of rolls. You'll sample Shiso Leaf and Umeboshi Plum Roll; Asparagus and Cream Cheese Roll with Omelet; Miso Eggplant Rolls with Tofu; and Spicy Avocado Rolls. Wow! We'll top it all off with a surprise sweet!
Taught by: Chef Nancy Stark
Location: The Merc's Community Classroom
Cost: $20.00 per person
6-7pm
We'll spread out the checked tablecloths and have a picnic in the Classroom - no weather issues and no ants, just great picnic food ideas! You'll enjoy Hilary's Eat Well Veggie Burgers (locally made) served on Farm to Market Buns with all the trimmings. We'll whip up some Festive Cous Cous Salad and Potato Salad with Green Beans & Cukes to round out the picnic, and finish with Tofutti Cuties for dessert. You'll get to take home a package of Hilary's burgers for your own picnic at home. Fun! *This is a mini class.
Taught by: Nancy O'Connor, MS Ed
Location: The Merc's Community Classroom
Cost: $5.00 per person
7-9pm
Let's celebrate the fruits of summer with a fabulous class from Chef Paige featuring her favorite fruit desserts. You will enjoy the loveliest selection of desserts including: Apricot Custard Tart with Almonds; fresh Blueberry Buckle; Raspberry-Rhubarb Streusel Pie; and Peaches Foster with Butter Pecan Ice Cream. We'll put on the tea and coffee and try to keep you anchored in this heavenly class.
Taught by: Chef Paige Vandegrift
Location: The Merc's Community Classroom
Cost: $20.00 per person
2-3:30pm
Young, budding chefs - join Lily for a fun shopping, cooking, and eating extravaganza at The Merc! We will start with a tour of the store, picking out delicious ingredients for our South of the Border Feast. Next, the class will work together to create Bean, Cheese, and Veggie Quesadillas; Black Bean and Quinoa Salad; and Mango Smoothies. Finally, participants will enjoy their homemade, satisfying meal around a table with new friends. This is a hands-on class for kids only, ages 7-11. *Class size is limited to 14.
Taught by: Lily Siebert
Location: The Merc's Community Classroom
Cost: $20.00 per person