Incorporating Sustainability in Your C-Store Award

Tu Mercado
University of San Diego
San Diego, CA

Opened: Fall 2009

Gross Sales/Day: $8,000

Tu Mercado is a full-scale natural foods store that offers the campus an array of retail and dining opportunities in a user-friendly environment that includes amenities like comfortable seating, TV and laptop stations. Centrally located in the heart of the school's Student Life Pavilion, Tu Mercado retails a sustainable, healthy product mix that includes local and organic produce, fresh dairy, bread and campus living essentials.

One special feature is L'atelier, a culinary workshop within the store that uses natural ingredients in offerings like hand-dipped chocolate covered strawberries, house-made caramel apples and house-made gelato. It also features fresh-squeezed orange juice, handmade smoothies made to order with the use of organic and local produce, an espresso/tea bar, signature deli sandwiches (including vegetarian and gluten-free selections), artisan desserts and pastries. Other retail offerings include exclusive USD merchandise such as apparel from designers like Tommy Hilfiger, Nike and Quicksilver, gifts, cooking items, books and electronics.

Tu Mercado also hosts a weekly farmers market, purchases produce from the farmers to sell as part of its product mix and uses biodegradeable disposables.