A few months ago, we at The Produce News named Sprouts Farmers Market as our 2026 Retailer of Year. At long last, the wait to read about the Phoenix-based retailer is over. Our Retailer of the Year issue drops online today and will be in print Monday.

This is the seventh year The Produce News has taken a deep dive into a retailer that is doing an exemplary job selling and promoting produce. Previous winners range from regional chains (Harps, Gelsons, Roche Bros. and Food Lion) to national giants (Walmart and Costco).

So, why was Sprouts our 2026 Retailer of the Year?

Talk to almost anybody and one of their goals is to “eat better.” That’s what Sprouts is all about. The chain’s core mission for its assortment is to have a healthy focus curating food choices to help the Sprouts customer “Live and Eat Better.” The product focus is on fresh, natural and organic foods, with the concept of clean food — free of artificials colors and additives. That’s the produce industry’s wheelhouse.

In the TPN pages dedicated to Sprouts by writer extraordinaire Tim Linden, Sprouts Farmers Market is explored further through the specific lenses of its produce, merchandising and marketing folks with an additional look at its sustainability and charitable foundation platforms. While each executive has their own unique perspective, Sprouts' core values center around three pillars that surfaced during each interview and adorn almost every office wall: “We Care (for each other, customers, planet), We Love Being Different (embracing diversity for unique experiences), and We Own It (teamwork for excellence and celebrating success).”

Many more than just The Produce News hold Sprouts Farmers Market in high regard. Here is a small sampling of what people in the industry think:

“What truly sets Sprouts apart is the way they champion fresh, responsibly grown produce and connect those values directly to the consumer," said AJ Consalo of Consalo Family Farms. "They give growers a platform by prioritizing quality, transparency and education at the shelf, helping tell the story behind the product rather than treating produce as a commodity. Their team continues to push the envelope on new products and new ideas.”

“As a national retailer, Sprouts does a tremendous job at offering its shoppers value while continuing to offer local products, outstanding quality and a diverse assortment of products and packaging that stand out compared to other large national retailers," said Jason Domenico of Grimmway Produce Group. "From all of us at The Grimmway Produce Group, congratulations to the entire Sprouts team in being recognized as The Produce News 2026 Retailer of the Year. It has been an honor to work with you the last 24 years. We salute you and wish you continued success in the years to come.”

“As a 100 percent organic company, we deeply appreciate Sprouts’ strong commitment to organics," said Joanna Jaramillo​​ of Wholesum. "Their leadership in this space not only supports our shared values but also helps drive the organic industry forward as a whole. This commitment creates a foundation for ongoing investment in the organic movement and provides essential backing for continued innovation. Together, we are advancing a healthier, more sustainable future for produce and for consumers who prioritize quality and transparency.”

“Sprouts have highly educated produce personnel that make it easy to partner with," said Dave Medders of Sun Pacific. "They are flexible and understand the ebbs and flows of produce. They provide their customers with the best quality produce and we share that passion. They are open to try and test new things from merchandising methods to new varieties all to enhance the shopping experience for their customers.”

Clearly Sprouts is deserving of the honor. Be sure to read about them either online or in the print addition — or both.