Anyone familiar with Sprouts Farmers Markets?

[hvn_nbr_2]

There's a new one soon to open near me. Based on their ads and their website, it seems to be a somewhat cheaper version of Whole Paycheck. They're only in a few western states now.

Anyone have any experience with them? Should I be excited that they're coming to the neighborhood or should I just yawn?

[Gormy Cuss]

1. I'm not familiar with the chain but I'd love to bean the heads of the owners for that name.

Using "farmers market" to describe a greengrocer or grocery store just confuses people who've heard about supporting local farmers directly through certified farmers markets.

[beac]

2. Here's someone that did a side-by-side of some of Sprouts prices vs.

Whole Foods: http://fastfood.freedomblogging.com/whole-foods-vs-sprouts-price-comparison/ and a trip to the Irvine branch of the chain: http://fastfood.freedomblogging.com/2007/11/19/sprouts-farmers-market-plans-its-own-orange-county-invasion/

Wish I could help you with actual personal experience, but I live in the land of Kroger & Food Lion. :(

[housewolf]

3. I've been to Sprouts in Arizona

It's been a few years, though. I liked it - it was a lot like Henry's (which were Wild Oats' "farmers market" type store). Much less "yuppie"-store. Less gourmet. More of a "common person"s store. A good selection of fresh produce, bakery, deli/salad bar, packaged health foods. Supplements but not the minor focus in the store. More bulk bins than any other store I've ever been in.

I'd be excited if a Sprouts was opening up in my neighborhood. Go to their Grand Opening and see what you think.

[GoCubsGo]

7. Me, too. Wish we had one here.

My folks live in Phoenix and frequent the place. They have really good sales, especially on produce. I like their bulk section.

[MajorChode]

4. There is one in my town

I'm not familiar with the store you are comparing, but I find them somewhat more expensive than a normal supermarket, but perhaps a little cheaper than some other high end food markets. I would still consider them a boutique market. I shop there for a few items because they carry some things that a normal supermarket won't such as various kinds of flour like rye and so forth, things like freeze dried yogurt starter, and a few herbs and spices that are somewhat hard to find. However, I don't use them for most of my food needs.

[hobbit709]

5. They've got 3 in Austin now

They're definitely cheaper that Whole Paycheck and H.E.B.'s Central Market. on most items. I also have a Newflower close to me. I usually get whatever they have on sale. Good selections, especially in organic and natural foods.

Luckily where I live I have a choice of 8 different groceries within a 10 minute drive. I can hit Sprouts, the HEB and Newflower in one swoop and not drive out of my way.

[livetohike]

6. I shopped at them all the time when I lived in Oceanside, Ca

They had really good prices on produce. They had beans, grains, legumes, nuts, dried fruit, etc in bins so you could take as much as you wanted. A nice selection of natural products, supplements and personal hygiene items. I'm a vegetarian so I can't say what their meat/seafood was like. I loved shopping there. They took over from another similar chain called Boney's. I left CA in 2007, so I can't say what they are like today. Hopefully, they haven't changed.

[hvn_nbr_2]

8. Thanks for the info, everybody.

It sounds about like what I thought. The store opens Wednesday so I guess I'll see for myself soon.