The Community Mercantile (the Merc) is a full-service grocery store specializing in organic and naturally produced foods. They also use Energy Star appliances throughout the store.
Since 1974, Community Mercantile has been Lawrence's primary source for natural, whole foods. "The Merc" is the largest consumer-owned natural foods store in the state of Kansas. We are a cooperative retail grocery store now over 2,500 members strong, providing our community with a diverse selection including locally grown produce, meat, poultry and a variety of products from other high-quality businesses. We offer foods that are organically grown, minimally processed and free of toxins. The Merc responds to our members requests for products they need in order to make us their primary grocery store.
The Community Mercantile takes to heart the co-op principle "concern for community." Each year increasing the amount of donations we give to groups in Lawrence and the surrounding areas. We also connect with the community through our nutrition education and outreach program. Thousands of local school children, seniors, special needs groups and the general public learn the basics of nutrition by attending these classes at the Merc-all of which we teach at no cost to the community.
Interests: Horseback riding, watching the silence of the snow, obviously anything creative, cooking
Inspiration: Like most of you, when I heard of recycling to save the earth, I naturally assumed I needed to separate my plastics, newspapers and glass. I was helping. That was all I needed to do. Then one day, I was searching around for something fun, some art, and I came across this abstract piece. It was gorgeous - it looked like a naturally formed wave of icy white water bursting into the air. When I looked closer at it, I saw that it was made from recycled plastic caps. I was in shock. What kind of imagination and talent does that take to look at a plastic cap and see more to it then what it actually is? How can someone be so ingenious that they can take something that we normally throw away and create such a piece of beauty with it? This is the thought process that I could not stop pondering and it took over my mind, body and soul and soon enough became my muse.
I began Earth's Journey for this reason. I wanted to show the world that there was more to saving the earth than just recycling. There is beauty in things we can't even imagine, and so many ways to help our planet flourish. There are products out there that we all could use to completely decorate, furnish and run a home... all environmentally safe. You can buy organic bedding, non-toxic cleaning detergents, solar power, or make a change in a small way by using energy-efficient light bulbs. But the best part of recycling and being eco-friendly is the beauty that you'll find here, with all of our different artisans. As you can see I'm very passionate about this type of artistic creativity, and I hope you will be too.
I invite you to sit back, relax and ... Be Inspired by Green!