“…on May 20, I was part of a panel of representatives from several different cooperatives, sponsored by the Kansas Farmers Union (another farmers co-op founded in 1907). This was part of their new program called Homegrown Prosperity where they are prepared to identify and help groups where a cooperative might be a solution to a community’s problem.

Among the participants on the panel were a representative for FreeState Electric Cooperative, Central Plains Organic Farmers Association, and the Kansas City Food Hub.

All participants agreed cooperatives were tools for solving problems faced by different communities.”

“The Merc became more than an organization to me. It became family. And when something becomes family, your commitment does not depend on location or circumstance. It becomes part of who you are. That is why I am sharing this. Because there are people right now who might be where I once was, watching from the outside, forming opinions, unsure if they belong.

If that is you, I want you to know something.

You do not have to have it all figured out to step in. You do not have to look a certain way. You do not have to think a certain way. You do not have to come from a certain background.

What matters is your willingness to show up. To learn. To engage. To be part of something that is actively trying to make community better.”

Join the co-op in March for an exclusive coupon during our owner drive. Plus, all new owners in March are entered into weekly drawings for gift cards! Join online or in-store.

So why join the Co-op? There are plenty of reasons and incentives to become an owner of Lawrence’s one and only consumer owned coop that’s been in operation since 1974. Just click on the link to learn about the value of ownership. As an owner for over 20 years and a Board Member for 9 years, I’m going to break it down for you March Madness style with the Elite Eight Cooperative Principles.

…”investing locally is still how a community can provide local power, cushion global inflation, and source democratically desired goods.   Investing in the local farmers, sourcing favorable costs through a shared network, creating equitable pay through profits that circle back through the community, providing a return on investment to the owner-members… all of this can happen when we choose to engage in our democratically run co-op..”

The Merc Co+op Board of Directors meets the first Monday of each month. Learn more about the Board, their meetings and responsibilities, owner engagement and more each month in their Board Report.

“Counting contributions doesn’t require perfection or grand gestures. It can be as simple as shopping locally, attending a board meeting, volunteering time, or having a meaningful conversation in the aisles. These moments accumulate and invite us to reflect on how we show up for others, how we invest in our community, and how our actions—big or small—help nourish something larger than ourselves.”

The Merc Co+op Board of Directors meets the first Monday of each month. Learn more about the Board, their meetings and responsibilities, owner engagement and more each month in their Board Report.

The Merc Co+op Board of Directors meets the first Monday of each month. Learn more about the Board, their meetings and responsibilities, owner engagement and more each month in their Board Report.

The Merc Co+op's Board of Directors is comprised of seven co-op owners who are elected by the general ownership and serve a three-year term. They meet the first Monday of each month. Any co-op owner can run for a board position, and all co-op owners are encouraged to vote in our annual board elections. Get to know the owners that represent you!

The Merc Co+op's Board of Directors is comprised of seven co-op owners who are elected by the general ownership and serve a three-year term. They meet the first Monday of each month. Any co-op owner can run for a board position, and all co-op owners are encouraged to vote in our annual board elections. Get to know the owners that represent you!

The Merc Co+op's Board of Directors is comprised of seven co-op owners who are elected by the general ownership and serve a three-year term. They meet the first Monday of each month. Any co-op owner can run for a board position, and all co-op owners are encouraged to vote in our annual board elections. Get to know the owners that represent you!

The Merc Co+op’s Board of Directors is made up of seven co-op owners elected by the ownership to serve three-year terms. Any co-op owner is eligible to run for a board position.

The Board acts on behalf of co-op owners, responsible for guiding the overall vision of the co-op and monitoring progress toward that vision. To support this work, the board establishes policies that govern both themselves and the General Manager. The board works closely with the General Manager, who provides regular reports on store operations, including finances, customer satisfaction, and more.

Get to know the owners that represent you!

The Merc Co+op's Board of Directors is comprised of seven co-op owners who are elected by the general ownership and serve a three-year term. They meet the first Monday of each month. Any co-op owner can run for a board position, and all co-op owners are encouraged to vote in our annual board elections. Get to know the owners that represent you!

Meet Mark!

The Merc Co+op's Board of Directors is comprised of seven co-op owners who are elected by the general ownership and serve a three-year term. They meet the first Monday of each month. Any co-op owner can run for a board position, and all co-op owners are encouraged to vote in our annual board elections. Get to know the owners that represent you!

The Merc Co+op Board of Directors meets the first Monday of each month. Learn more about the Board, their meetings and responsibilities, owner engagement and more each month in their Board Report. This month, a message from outgoing Board President Melissa Williams.

The Merc Co+op Board of Directors meets the first Monday of each month. Learn more about the Board, their meetings and responsibilities, owner engagement and more each month in their Board Report. This month, learn what it takes to run for the board!

The Merc Co+op Board of Directors meets the first Monday of each month. Learn more about the Board, their meetings and responsibilities, owner engagement and more each month in their Board Report. This month, learn what it takes to run for the board!

The Merc Co+op Board of Directors meets the first Monday of each month. Learn more about the Board, their meetings and responsibilities, owner engagement and more each month in their Board Report. This month, learn what it takes to run for the board!

The Merc Co+op Board of Directors meets the first Monday of each month. Learn more about the Board, their meetings and responsibilities, owner engagement and more each month in their Board Report.

The Merc Co+op Board of Directors meets the first Monday of each month. Learn more about the Board, their meetings and responsibilities, owner engagement and more each month in their Board Report.

The Merc Co+op Board of Directors meets the first Monday of each month. Learn more about the Board, their meetings and responsibilities, owner engagement and more each month in their Board Report.