PHOENIX — Sprouts Farmers Market, in partnership with the food donation app Careit, has redirected more than 30 million pounds of unsold food to 216 independent nonprofits across the United States since 2022. The initiative underscores the retailer’s commitment to sustainability while expanding access to nutritious meals for households facing food insecurity.
Food insecurity affects an estimated 48 million Americans, including 13.8 million children, while 31% of food in the U.S. food system goes unsold or uneaten. Grocers generate nearly six million tons of unsold food annually, positioning the retail sector as a crucial link in addressing the issue of food waste. Sprouts has placed food waste prevention at the center of its ESG strategy, donating more than 14 million pounds of surplus produce to food rescue agencies.
“We are very produce-centric and proud that we can provide fresh food to our local community partners that feed those with diet restrictions who need a nutritious meal,” said Natasha Tofil, Environmental Compliance Manager at Sprouts. “In the past, we would have to turn away nonprofits who requested donations, but with Careit, we have been able to easily onboard them to our program and foster more meaningful connections at a local level.”
Careit supports Sprouts by managing compliance tracking, building partnerships with local agencies, and encouraging team engagement. “Our partnership with Sprouts aligns with our goal of getting healthier nutrition and even organic produce in the hands of those who are food insecure,” said Alyson Schill, CEO and co-founder of Careit. “Affordability is a major concern for nonprofits, and our free app services enable them to easily connect with food donors such as Sprouts.”
Local food pantries report a measurable impact. Carol’s Kindness Food Pantry in Texas has received over 1 million pounds of food donations, including a variety of items such as produce, protein, dairy, and baked goods. “Without Sprouts, we would not have as much nutritious food to pass to our clients,” said Carol Rabun, the pantry’s CEO. “Before we joined Careit, we didn’t document anything. Now that we weigh everything and keep records, it’s amazing to see how many pounds are redirected and kept out of the landfill.”
Other agencies, such as You Eat I Eat in Dallas, have been able to expand their fresh food offerings and home-cooked meal options thanks to Sprouts’ surplus donations. “Since joining Careit, the Sprouts donations we have received have enabled us to increase the amount we distribute weekly, impacting our community with healthier options our clients take notice of,” said Dorene Corothers, founder and executive director.
Looking ahead, Sprouts plans to expand the program by tracking food donations for animal feed, thereby reducing landfill waste while supporting local farmers. “The next evolution is expanding our animal feed program to get farmers on the Careit app who utilize our food that can’t be donated,” Tofil said. “This food has good life left in it that can be used for animal feed and soil regeneration.”
