Sprouts has built its business around a clear purpose: helping people live and eat better. That same purpose shapes how the retailer approaches sustainability — not as a separate initiative, but as an integral part of how the company operates, grows, and serves its communities.

Justin Kacer, sustainability manager at Sprouts, said the company’s approach is grounded in pragmatism, transparency, and collaboration across the value chain.

“We think about sustainability as part of everyday business decisions,” Kacer said. “It’s about supporting responsible sourcing, reducing waste and emissions, and making choices that strengthen our operations, and our communities, and the trust customers place in us.”

Sourcing with intention

Sustainable and responsible sourcing sits at the core of Sprouts’ sustainability strategy. Sprouts prioritizes products that deliver benefits for customer health while also supporting environmental stewardship, animal welfare, and ethical labor practices.

An organics-first philosophy is a key driver of that effort. Organic products now represent more than 30 percent of total sales across the store, and more than half of fresh produce sales. Organic farming avoids the use of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides that can contribute to greenhouse gas emissions, soil degradation, and biodiversity loss.

Beyond organic, Sprouts continues to expand offerings tied to regenerative agriculture, animal welfare, and responsibly sourced proteins. Kacer noted that while interest in regenerative agriculture is growing, the company takes a careful approach.

“Regenerative has real potential to support soil health, biodiversity, water retention, and even nutrient density,” he said. “But because there’s no universal definition and consumer understanding is still developing, we prioritize credible third-party certifications like Regenerative Organic Certified and Certified Regenerative by A Greener World.”

Sprouts supports growers through collaborative pathways rather than prescriptive mandates, recognizing that farmers understand their land best and that solutions must be tailored to local conditions.

Managing carbon and operational impacts

Sprouts’ sustainability work also extends to reducing its own operational footprint. The company continues to invest in energy efficiency through store design, including LED lighting, building automation systems that reduce unnecessary energy loss, and advanced refrigeration technologies.

Lower-GWP refrigerants and CO₂ refrigeration systems in many new stores, and leak detection technologies help reduce emissions while improving efficiency and lowering long-term costs.

However, Kacer emphasized that more than 75 percent of Sprouts’ total carbon footprint comes from purchased goods, making supplier engagement essential.

“Produce is naturally lower carbon and represents more than 20 percent of our total sales,” he said. “We also offer a wide range of plant-based products for customers who want to reduce their carbon impact through their diets.”

Regional produce buying teams work closely with local growers to reduce food miles, extend freshness, and support community-based agriculture, further strengthening resilience in the supply chain.

Food waste reduction and community impact

One of the company’s most impactful sustainability initiatives is its food waste prevention and recovery program. Originally launched in 2014, Sprouts’ food rescue program is designed to keep edible food in the food system while supporting families facing food insecurity.

Through partnerships with Feeding America food banks, local food rescue organizations, farms, and composters, Sprouts diverts unsold food to the highest and best use.

Last year alone, Sprouts recovered more than 70 million pounds of food and donated the equivalent of 29 million meals — nearly half of which was fresh produce. Since the program’s inception, Sprouts has donated the equivalent of more than 250 million meals.

“Reducing food waste is both a sustainability and a business priority,” Kacer said. “Food waste that ends up in landfills produces methane, a potent greenhouse gas, but shrink reduction is also critical to running a healthy retail operation.”

Store teams play a central role in making the program successful, supported by improved inventory tools, clear guidance, and strong community partnerships.

Packaging and circularity

While much of Sprouts’ produce is sold without packaging, the company continues to look for ways to reduce waste and improve circularity when packaging is necessary to protect quality or extend shelf life.

“We prioritize recycled content and curbside-recyclable materials whenever possible,” Kacer said. “In many cases, packaging helps prevent food waste, which often has a larger carbon footprint than the packaging itself.”

Sprouts also encourages reusable transport options such as reusable plastic containers and continues to monitor compostable packaging solutions as composting infrastructure expands across the country.

Kacer acknowledged that cost, infrastructure, and material availability remain challenges, and that sustainability often requires balancing tradeoffs.

“Sustainability is about selecting the lowest-impact option available today while continuing to invest in innovations that remove those tradeoffs over time,” he said.

Supplier collaboration and innovation

Rather than imposing rigid requirements, Sprouts takes a relationship-driven approach with suppliers, seeking partners whose values align with their own.

“We focus on shared goals and continuous improvement,” Kacer said. “That includes supporting organic agriculture, improved animal welfare practices, and increased recycled content in packaging.”

Through collaboration with growers, suppliers, NGOs, and industry groups, Sprouts helps encourage innovation across organic and regenerative agriculture, packaging, animal welfare, human rights, and nutrition-focused product development.

Culture, engagement, and transparency

Team member engagement is another critical component of Sprouts’ sustainability success. Store teams, distribution centers, and supply chain partners see the direct impact of their work through fresher food, reduced waste, and stronger community connections.

“Our core value of Care really drives this,” Kacer said. “When people see how their work helps customers and communities live and eat better, sustainability resonates naturally.”

Transparency also plays a key role. Sprouts publishes annual Impact results and relies on credible third-party certifications to help build trust with customers and stakeholders.

Looking ahead, Kacer sees sustainability and profitability as mutually reinforcing.

“Many sustainability initiatives reduce waste, lower risk, increase efficiency, and strengthen customer trust,” he said. “In 2024 alone, we saw more than $4.4 billion in sales from products with social or environmental certifications. That reinforces that doing the right thing is also good business.”