The charitable arm of Sprouts Farmers Market, which is opening a store in Centereach, planted the seeds of a hands-on health and wellness program to expand nutrition and gardening for the community.
Sprouts Healthy Communities Foundation donated $325,000 to the Middle Country Library Foundation. The investment will launch a three-year partnership to expand hands-on nutrition education, gardening and wellness programs offered inside a new 600-square-foot greenhouse at the library that serves 62,000 residents.
“Positive experiences like growing, tasting and preparing fresh nutritious food help spark a desire to make healthier food choices for people at any age,” Lyndsey Waugh, executive director of the Sprouts Healthy Communities Foundation, said. “These moments not only build skills, but they also build community, and we’re thrilled to play our part.”
The greenhouse will serve as a hub for workshops and lessons that bridge gardening, nutrition and environmental education. A mix of indoor and outdoor garden beds will allow for year-round programs, including seed starting, the basics of setting up an edible garden at home, and composting in small spaces. Using seasonal vegetables harvested on site, plus fresh ingredients from the new Sprouts Farmers Market store, cooking classes will help kids and adults build real skills to shape their meals at home.
“The cornerstone of this partnership will be helping people learn real world skills to make healthier choices in their everyday lives,” said Sophia Serlis-McPhillips, director of the Middle Country Public Library. “Sprouts’ investment is transformational and will allow us to scale our gardening and nutrition education programs in a way we’ve never been able to do until now.”
Planned events include Let’s Eat: Farm to Table Exhibit, a hands-on exhibit where young children can harvest, shop, and cook in a play-learning environment on Feb. 21, from 1 to 3 p.m., as well as annual spring jubilees, fall festivals, nutrition programs co-hosted with Sprouts offering healthy cooking workshops and Green Teens Volunteer Activities such as planting trees, maintaining the library’s butterfly garden, and other greenhouse events.
“Being a part of our community is core to Sprouts values and one of the ways we bring our purpose of helping people live and eat better to life,” said Nick Farley, store manager of the Centereach Sprouts, which is slated to open on Jan. 30. “Our entire store team is looking forward to getting involved and building meaningful connections through this partnership.”
For more information on the upcoming events at Middle Country Public Library, visit mcplibrary.org, or for more information on the Sprouts Healthy Communities Foundation visit sprouts.com/foundation.
