Since partnering with food donation platform Careit in August 2022, Sprouts Farmers Market has tracked more than 30 million pounds of food donated to 216 nonprofits across the U.S. The grocer has also provided an additional 14 million pounds of surplus fresh produce to local food-rescue agencies for distribution to communities in need.
The Phoenix-based grocery chain says the partnership reflects its goal of leading in both philanthropy and sustainability by making fresh, nutritious food more accessible to people experiencing food insecurity.
“We’re 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, Sprouts’ environmental compliance manager.
Tofil said the Careit partnership has streamlined the donation process and allowed Sprouts to support a wider network of small, community-based organizations.
“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 — the heart of our communities,” she said.
The Careit app helps Sprouts manage compliance, ESG (environmental, social and governance) data tracking, and logistics, while also encouraging employees to engage with local nonprofits.
“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, Careit’s CEO and co-founder. “Affordability is a major concern for nonprofits, and our free app services enable them to easily connect with food donors — such as Sprouts — with a simplified donation logistics process.”
Among the beneficiaries is Carol’s Kindness Food Pantry, which has received nearly 1.05 million pounds of food donations from Sprouts through Careit.
“Without Sprouts, we would not have as much nutritious food to pass to our clients,” said Carol Rabun, the pantry’s CEO. “We do get food from a local food bank but not meals, meat and protein. Sprouts provides those as well as vegetables, fruit, cheese, milk, yogurt, bread and pastries.”
Rabun said that Careit’s tracking tools have made a big difference.
“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,” she said.
Carol’s Kindness Food Pantry has also praised Sprouts for building personal relationships with its community partners — often including thoughtful touches such as thank-you notes on food packaging or flowers sent during difficult times.
Looking ahead, Sprouts plans to expand its sustainability tracking through Careit by adding an animal feed donation component to ensure that food unsuitable for human consumption is still put to good use.
“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.”
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