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.
Hopeless romantics be warned, all of the trimmings for an unforgettable Valentine's Day have arrived. The ladies of The Merc are swooning over the new display of lush roses, decadent chocolate and sweet treats. Stop in to pick up a treat for tha...
Gruyere is the reason Switzerland is famous for its cheese - this nutty, creamy, melt-able delight has been celebrated as one of the great cheeses of the world for centuries. It is known as an Alpine cheese, as in, produced from the raw milk of cows who ...
There are a few things vital to life, such as water, oxygen, food, a pulse... There are many ways you can take care of that pulse and your heart and one of them is by eating heart-healthy foods. According the Cleveland Clinic, America's top heart hos...
Both California and Florida (key growing areas during the winter months) have been hit hard by cold and freezing temperatures recently. This has had a huge effect on supplies of many key items including kale, cucumbers, zucchini, and several other items....
Fresh from the knife! Here in the Midwest freshly filleted salmon can take on a whole new meaning. It isn’t at every natural grocery or supermarket that you can walk-in on an early morning and see a couple fishmongers filleting fresh, whole fish fo...
Glass milk bottles are by far the most awkward grocery item to buy, but milk is definitely a delicious necessity. They are heavy, fragile, and have the ability to destroy soft groceries surrounding them when bagged together. We are now selling tradi...
Ceramic, glass, metal, whatever kind of mug you have! We welcome all shapes and sizes of coffee mugs, and you will receive a 10 cent discount. If you forget your own mug, we have some at the Barista counter for you.
Having a hard time juggling your groceries out to the car? Let us do it for you! We would love to help you carry out those heavy groceries to your car! Just let your cashier know, and we’ll find someone to assist you and get some fresh air while th...
Do you love shopping the bulk department, but feel overwhelmed with an abundance of plastic bags and twist ties? Do you ever wish you could be rid of the waste that comes with filling a little baggy? Do you ever get home and realize you bought way too mu...
Introducing The Merc’s New Local Produce Buyer
As part of The Merc’s continuing commitment to supporting local agriculture, the Produce Department recently created and filled a new position: Local Produce Buyer, wh...
The Merc's Food and Farm Team recently visited Hilary's Eat Well production facility and office. We were very impressed by the production facility and the large amount of product they are able to produce. The staff was very welcoming and gave us ...
Local pasture-raised chicken parts can be hard to find in today’s busy market places. Luckily the Vesecky Family Farms has been providing pasture-raised chicken for the enjoyment of our local families. The Vesecky Family Farm is located...
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 created daily on our house made crust with only the freshest ingredients. Every morning our skilled cooks carefully choose two types of pizza to prepare. Check back daily to find out what's hot and ready today.
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!
Take your tongue for a walk on the wild side with this zippy salad featuring local Central Soy tofu & house-made miso vinaigrette. Bright citrus notes set off an umami tsunami whose earthy tones you can ride all the way to a healthy filling lunch. In the evening, try pairing it with some ruby trout from our seafood counter for a meal in minutes. This is one salad you can enjoy around the clock!
Treat your heart and your sweet tooth with this masterful mash-up of flavors. Good-for-you tart cherry juice intertwines with luscious pomegranate and organic chocolate syrups, and then the combination is brought to bubbling life with La Croix sparkling water. Whether the weather is playing at winter or spring, this'll put a pep in your step and make your taste buds sing!
Join us in welcoming an old favorite with a brand new twist: Our beloved chocolate cheesecake is back, and it brought along a brand new crust. That's right, our bakers are stepping up their chocolate game with house-made chocolate graham crackers for the crust. This double chocolate combo will have you hooked!
Co-op Calendar events are listed below. To view all Merc events, click on the View Full Calendar link.
7-9 pm
After a busy day we all want to enjoy a simple healthy dinner. Join Hilary in sampling three dinners that take about 30 minutes each to prepare. First up, a simple Fritatta that includes Vibrant Greens served with Polenta. Next we’ll explore the infinite varieties of Quesadillas - filled and grilled, always with lots of vegetables. Finally, a super simple Curry Dinner to make at home thanks to coconut milk and prepared curry paste. Hilary will serve this with exotic and simple Black Rice. All done in 30!
Taught by: Hilary Kass, MPH
Location: The Merc's Community Classroom
Cost: $18 per person, $16 for Merc Owners & Seniors
2-4 pm
Warm your winter kitchen with Melt-in-Your-Mouth Hot Cross Buns; Fabulous Yeasted Coffee Cake; and Spectacular Made-from-Scratch Cinnamon Rolls. What better way to spend a cold Saturday afternoon then in the Merc kitchen with Mari Ruck teaching. Guaranteed to be entertaining, informative, and delicious. The tea and coffee will be brewing.
Taught by: Mari Ruck
Location: The Merc's Community Classroom
Cost: $18 per person, $16 for Merc Owners & Seniors
7-9 pm
We’ll travel the globe with all new recipes featuring the humble bean. We’ll start the evening with a delicious Pureed White Bean Spread served on Crostini. Then on to simple Black Bean Tostadas with trimmings, and an Instant Tamale Pie topped with Sour Cream & Guacamole. We’ll switch cuisines with a savory Greek Pizza starring garbanzo beans, and end with a beautiful Minestrone & Parmesan Biscuit Pot Pie. Each participant will get to take home a complimentary can of Eden beans to get you started cooking.
Taught by: Nancy O'Connor, MS Ed
Location: The Merc's Community Classroom
Cost: $18 per person, $16 for Merc Owners & Seniors
7-9 pm
Take a little trip around the world with Chef Nancy as she shares her love of curries, accompanied with flatbreads for dipping, scooping and wrapping! First we’ll make Fresh Corn Flatbread with Chiles (similar to a corn tortilla by way of India), perfect for eating with Spicy Chopped Tomato-Cucumber Salad. Then we’ll sample fresh hot Puri (Indian Fried Flatbread) with Sambhar Masala (Aromatic Mixed Vegetable Curry). We’ll finish in Ethiopia with Injera (a soft griddle baked flatbread) and Doro Wot, a traditional Ethiopian chicken curry. And, of course, a surprise sweet.
Taught by: Chef Nancy Stark
Location: The Merc's Community Classroom
Cost: $20 per person, $18 for Merc Owners & Seniors
7-9 pm
The Art of Simple Food by Alice Waters is a culinary classic. Join Paige in her second class preparing recipes from this very famous cookbook, starting with Long Cooked Broccoli (served on a croûton). Next you’ll enjoy delicious and seasonal Curly Kale & Potato Soup, followed by Moroccan Sweet Potato Salad and a very Classic Beef Stew. The meal will be complete with a 1-2-3-4 Cake (a simple and perfect butter cake). This is a class focused on simple foods prepared with excellent ingredients using classic techniques. A winner!
Taught by: Chef Paige Vandegrift
Location: The Merc's Community Classroom
Cost: $20 per person, $18 for Merc Owners & Seniors
7-9 pm
Join Chef Nancy as we explore the delicious world of Thai food with a batch of new dishes. We’ll begin with Superfast Steamed Fish with Chile and Lime, with a side of Green Bean, Cucumber, and Tomato Salad. Next up: Homemade Curry Paste as the base for Rustic Red Curry Beef, along with Coconut Rice and Stir-fry Broccoli with Crispy Garlic. And of course, a sweet ending!
Taught by: Chef Nancy Stark
Location: The Merc's Community Classroom
Cost: $20 per person, $18 for Merc Owners & Seniors
7-9 pm
Join Paige for a new outlook on winter salads as she works her magic with a variety of vinaigrettes, a mixture of warm and cold salads and lots of winter fruits and vegetables. You’ll enjoy a Salad of Shredded Romaine & Radicchio with Apples, Asian Pears & Buttermilk Dressing; Winter Pasta Salad with Cauliflower and Walnut Pesto; Warm Cabbage Salad with Smoked Ham & Goat Cheese; Refreshing Fennel & Carrot Salad; and an Avocado & Citrus Salad with Green Olives. A true cure for the winter blues.
Taught by: Chef Paige Vandegrift
Location: The Merc's Community Classroom
Cost: $20 per person, $18 for Merc Owners & Seniors