We have a few Sprouts around Austin. I'm not overly impressed by them. Their prices are horrid on most items and there is more regular produce than organic available. Might as well just shop HEB because they have the same amount of wall space devoted to organic.

I pretty much only visit Sprouts for their cheap wine specials (3/$11), their lemon snaps, and the clearance bakery items that they always have around.

There's one near my parents. They said it was okay, but nothing special. They were expecting something closer to Whole Foods.

Personally, I'm bothered that they use the term "Farmers Market" in their name. To me, that means that exclusively local farmers should have a direct connection with the establishment. Instead the store is just taking advantage of the associations people have with the (unregulated) term.

There's one near my parents' house in Plano (DFW area in Texas). Theirs does indicate what state the produce is from, but I would argue that when it comes to out-of-state or even non-U.S. produce, Sprouts is not that different from Whole Foods. I mean, Whole Foods might have better labels for the produce from the U.S., but they have just as many other options from Chile or Mexico or wherever.

It really comes down to business. While Chile is already plucking stone fruits from their trees, we're still a couple months behind in March, April, and May. People still want their favorite fruits for as long as possible, and by going to other countries, grocery stores stretch the season.

So I really wouldn't blame Sprouts for that. Their dry goods, though, are actually pretty expensive unless they're on sale, so unless I'm picking up produce or dairy products, I don't shop at Sprouts.

I love Sprouts, but only for the bulk bins and dairy, and occasionally I'll buy their organic grass-fed beef or organic free-range chickens. I was sorely disappointed in their produce and the fact that almost none of it was local (or if it was, it was not labelled as such - as you pointed out "US" is not necessarily local). Your review pretty much sums up my feelings exactly the first time I went there. still, the prices on their bulk bins and dairy keep me going back again and again. I also note that the employees all seem to hate working there, but maybe that is just the location I shop at (in Culver City, CA).

Personally, I really like Sprouts. I can see being in Austin and not using them as opposed to an HEB - who has a nice selection and hard to beat prices. We don't have HEB this far north - I miss HEB. Here in the DFW area, Sprouts regular produce outshines other grocery stores in my area (Kroger, Tom Thumb, etc.). Sprouts prices are comparable to our grocery stores - especially when I know I can find non-mealy apples or a suitable avocado, which I have problems finding at our normal grocery stores (yes, I know that is sad... but true). Sprouts produce has been consistently reliable and affordable.

The bulk section gets props from me as well as the vitamin section. The first Sprouts I visited had a very knowledgeable staff in the vitamin department who were very helpful in finding products I'd be happy with - as well as very willing to order special items for me. I think they also carry a nice selection of foods for a gluten-free diet. While I know little about those dietary restrictions, I have friends who fanatically shop at Sprouts for their gluten-free items.

One other thing I like is the lack of junk food/snacky food I've found that the other grocery stores are packed with. They do have some, but it is a nice selection of snacks and not overwhelming/in your face. It is nice to shop without having to wade through aisles and aisles of junk to find the few items I'm looking for.

I can understand being bothered by the "farmer's market" label, as I was confused about the same issues when I first started shopping there (produce isn't exactly what I'd call "local"). In the end though, I have plenty of farmer's markets to visit if that is what I want, and use Sprouts instead of a regular grocery store - I don't really try to compare them with Whole Foods (considering I'd have to drive half an hour to the nearest WF). I find that I come home with more fruits and veggies in my bags because the produce is decent, and they advertise produce sales weekly.

There are several Sprouts stores in the Phoenix metro area, but I no longer live near one. I do most of my shopping at Sunflower now, which I feel is very similar. While I definitely agree with all of the sentiments above, I find I spend way less on my groceries at either of these stores as opposed to Fry's, Safeway, etc. Produce is almost always cheaper, and because the organic selection is larger, there are often more specials on organics. Brands like Muir Glen and Eden Organic are cheaper than the big stores as well, and also go on special quite often. The bulk bins are great, especially the spices. I hate having to spend $6+ on a whole jar of a new spice, use a teaspoon of it, have the recipe be a dud and never touch the rest of the jar.

That said, I definitely do not think that the house brand is as good as the various purveyors that Trader Joe's brand as their own. However, it's also nice not having to buy six zucchinis when you need two, or three bell peppers when you need four like you're stuck doing at TJ's.

As long as you are an informed shopper, as most of us readers seem to be, it can be a great resource.

Phew. I thought this was going to be a positive review of Sprouts, which I think is terrible. The produce always looks awful, and they have absolutely no standards for anything they sell. Gross.

The best part of Sprouts for me is their incredible veggie sandwiches. Deli counter bliss. Less than $3.

I tried Sprouts one time several months ago and I haven't been back... their produce section was seriously lacking on anything organic and the regular grocery area didn't have most of the things we needed.

Some of my co-workers rave about it, but I prefer to keep making two stops aside from my local farmer's market (Whole Foods for produce, TJ's for everything else).

I buy items from Sprouts that I cannot find at Trader Joe's. I have a bit more trust in Sprouts that I do the regular grocery chains.

However, I've noticed plenty of preservatives and high fructose/maltose corn syrup in their ingredients, including the bulk bin items... and that is where the break down is for me.

I agree with the above comments it always cracked me up that they point out the fact they are "farm fresh". I do love it when they have the gf bonanza though.

We have them throughout Dallas and nobody goes too them. Too pricey compared to Central Market (swoon) and Whole Foods and their stuff just is never very good quality from the look of it. Just my impression

Sun Harvest was absorbed by Sprouts here in TX (not sure when exactly) but I have the same problem with them that you described. They have awesome deals on organic products sometimes (I always check their weekly flyer), but I am dubious about other foods, especially meat, that are so cheap but still labeled as organic or the meaningless 'natural'.

But for the occasional $7 bad of produce filled to the brim with mangos, kiwi, melons and avocados, they work for me.

Yes, we had a new sprouts open up here last year and I had the same experience. The produce is not fresh, it's out of season and imported. I only go there for items I can't find elsewhere or need quickly just because it's so close to home (ie. specialty baking items/cereals/bulk).

I don't like it. TJs and WFs both have higher standards. Many things were more expensive than TJs and WFs as well.

Using "farmer's market" in their name really annoys me. Thanks. I already go to the farmer's market. The one with farmers.

And WF and TJs fills in the rest. I never shop at a conventional supermarket any more...

I'm surprised to see the negativity...my Sprouts (Southlake, TX) is a great (and popular!) source for good produce at a fair price. Their bulk section is small but has what I need, and the employees and managers are all friendly and helpful. Most importantly, they put their Green & Black's chocolate bars on sale pretty frequently. =)

I don't buy much from their packaged goods or freezer sections, because those do tend to be expensive, but I do get meat and cheese there when it's on special. So: produce, meat, cheese, and bulk goods...that's why I love me some Sprouts.

Full info: the nearest Whole Foods is 30 minutes away (and too expensive for regular shopping), the nearest Central Market (swoon indeed) is just as far, and I'm more interested in getting lots of good food at a good price than I am in making sure everything is strictly local, organic, etc. (Oh--and Trader Joe's? Hours and hours away.) That said, I'm planning to check out our open-air farmers' market next weekend...I do prefer to buy from the actual people that grow my food, rather than trying to figure out where the groceries at the store are from.

Their produce is not top quality. Veggies rot in just a few days or are bruised.

That being said, their coffee beans are excellent and go on sale at least every 6 wks. Their veggie chips are also very good and are reasonable when their bulk foods go on sale.

I agree with this post whole-heartedly! Sprouts is really the only non-discount large grocery store in our area, so we use it for things Trader Joe's doesn't have. I love the bulk bins (aside from how much of it is candy) and the selection of natural processed products (cereal, chips, cookies, crackers, etc.) - but the produce and meat are incredibly disappointing! And their cheese and bread selections are pitiful. I had so much hope for this store, but it definitely didn't pull through.

I can agree with some of the downsides of the produce, but after moving to the midwest from AZ....Sprouts would be a sight for sore eyes. Cub & Rainbow are dark, dingy, dirty, and keep expired groceries on the shelf...regularly. Produce is super expensive here, and no store that I have found has a bulk section that could even compare.

The thing that I REALLY miss about sprouts is their vitamin & natural health section. The staff was always incredibly informative, always had samples, and weren't "sales-y". Again, I can find similar products here, but they are much more expensive and no single store has such a variety & selection that sprouts does.