Virtual Co+op
Campus Cooking with the UDK
The co-op joined forces with the University Daily Kansan for this series of simple, affordable recipes for every meal of the day! Videos created by Sam Blaufuss.
Store Tours
Welcome to The Merc Co+op! Get a virtual glimpse inside our Lawrence, KS and Kansas City, KS stores.
Change for our Community
Change for our Community gives shoppers the opportunity to donate their spare change to local organizations every time they shop. In Lawrence, a different organization is featured as the recipient each month. In Kansas City, one organization is selected for the year. One hundred percent of all donations collected go to the organizations. In 2023, we — as a co-op community — raised $65,065.96. Since the program began in January 2014, we have raised over $693,000 for 65 local nonprofits.
Get to know a few of our partners from 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2022: After the Harvest, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Friends of the Kaw, Lawrence Meals on Wheels, Douglas County ECKAN, and El Centro Inc.
Local Partnerships — Groundwork NRG
Our co-op hosted Groundwork NRG and Walking Talking Pictures into the Kansas City classroom to film cooking segments for their virtual annual meeting. Anna from Anna’s BLD Bistro showed attendees how to prepare a smoked salmon cheese dip. Emily Brown, founder and CEO of the Food Equality Initiative, introduced us to her dairy-free, gluten-free mushroom sauce. And, Mayor David Alvey gave us step-by-step instructions to recreate his famous pies.
Local Producers
We work hard to build strong business relationships with local farmers and producers. The $1.8 million that we spend yearly on purchasing products that are grown, raised or made within 200 miles of The Merc Co+op directly supports our local economy. When you purchase local products from the co-op, you become part of these local social and economic networks that we work to create.
Co+op Staff, Products, Resources & More
From the Archives — Fresh Helpings
Most of these videos are two-minute segments provide simple recipes and useful cooking tips from the experts (current and former!) at The Merc Co+op. Head to our Youtube Channel for even more co-op videos like this one below featuring class presenter Chef Paige Vandegrift!
Kitchen Basics
Get started in this kitchen with these short videos.
Then learn how to read a recipe, kitchen safety, and knife skills, and meal planning with Laura, Outreach Manager.
Looking for recipe inspiration? Get recipes from the co-op kitchen, staff, presenters and more.
Build Your Skills
Get an in-depth look at a wide variety of ingredients and techniques from the National Co-op Grocers Co+op Kitchen!
Co+op Explorers
For our youngest cooperators, join the Co+op Explorers! Each month, there’s a new recipe and an activity to take with you, plus get your very own Co+op Explorers passport! Learn more.
Hungry for more? Check out our Co+op Classes!
Registration is required to hold your spot. We are not able to accommodate walk-ins.