Supermarkets open regularly on Long Island, with nearly 3 million residents, but Sprouts Farmers Market is making shopping and supermarket history with the first New York State store here.
Long after opening balloons and billboards vanish, this opening is likely to make a difference on Long Island. Phoenix-based Sprouts Farmers Market, one of the nation’s largest and fastest growing specialty retailers of fresh, natural and organic food, opened its first store in New York on Friday, Jan. 30 at 1934 Middle Country Rd, at Middle Country Rd. and Nicolls Rd., in Centereach.
The new location marks the retailer’s 480th store across 25 states. Sprouts has more than 40 locations planned to open in 2026, including 353 N. Central Ave. in Hartsdale, NY, in September 2026 followed by Levittown in 2027.
The Centereach store opened with a ribbon-cutting on Jan. 30 with a strong turnout from the Centereach community, which has become commonplace for Sprouts grand openings in recent years.
“It’s a vibe, a grand opening for Sprouts is full of excitement, energy and plenty of samples to try,” said District Director for New York and Northern New Jersey Laura Martino. “There’s lots of heavy foot traffic and an opportunity for customers to be one of the first to explore, shop the store and discover our selection.”
Shoppers can also join Sprouts Rewards for free to earn points on every purchase made in-store and online, gain exclusive access to perks such as member-only savings, Nick Farley, Store Manager of the new Sprouts Centereach location is an intimate shopping experience inspired by the retailer’s farmers market origins.
Farley talked about Sprouts’ “fresh and friendly take on the grocery shopping experience” mixing a farmer’s market and supermarket.
“The products we offer make us different and attribute-focused, whether it’s gluten-free, non-GMO or organic to support a wide variety of nutrition needs,” Farley continued. “We also provide a lot of organic offerings.”
SPROUTS’ STORY
Sprouts’ roots stretch back to the Boney family fruit stand in San Diego, which became Henry’s Farmer’s Market before leading to the personalized recommendations and offers, and more.
Brookhaven Town Councilman Neil Manzella called the Sprouts Centereach store “a win” for the area with a “strong focus on quality and community involvement.”
SPROUTS’ STRATEGY
Sprouts touts fresh food and a philosophy designed to “help people live and eat better” as healthy shopping and eating take hold.
“We look forward to providing Long Island with the wide assortment of organic, local and better-for-you products that Sprouts is known for,” Farley said. “We offer fresh and unique products and a friendly experience that our customers crave.” Sprouts offers a curated assortment including organic, gluten-free, plant-based, and non-GMO products.
The 25,000-square-foot store, in what had been an LA Fitness, touts selection, not size, letting shoppers find what they want rather than getting lost in a labyrinth of products.
“We tend to keep our store square footage smaller,” Martino said. “Long Islanders are used to going into big, conventional stores. This first Sprouts store opened in 2002 in Chandler, Arizona.
The company went public in 2013 and has been growing rapidly amid a hunger for healthy food. The store’s design, mixing a farmer’s market with a supermarket, also stands apart.
“When you walk into the store, you can see through the entire store. In the center of the store, customers are used to seeing groceries,” Martino added. “Produce is at the heart of what we do, which is why in every Sprouts nationwide produce is in the center of the store.”
They also put their bulk department in the center, offering nuts, chocolates, coffees, seasonings and other similar items.
“It’s a great amenity for customers to only purchase what they need or to try new things. Every product in the bulk department is also free of artificial dyes and flavors,” Martino continued.
SPROUTS SELECTION
Sprouts prides itself on carrying the season’s freshest produce, sustainably sourced meat and seafood and its overall philosophy, presentation and feeling.
And they work with local and regional farmers at Centereach, selling products from Eastern Fresh Growers, Flaim Farms, Nardelli Bros. Inc. – Lake View Farms, and Sunny Valley International – The Jersey Fruit Company.
They also sell products from local breweries such as Barrier Brewing, Brooklyn Brewing, Garvies Point, Grimm Ales, Montauk Brewing, Ommegang Brewery, Other Half Brewing, Threes Brewing and Wolfer Estate.
In-store labeling indicates whether foods are vegan, fit into diets such as paleo and vegetarian, and if a product is local to the area Martino said, “to make it easier for our customers to shop.”
Sprouts offers a wide range of its Sprouts Brand private label products, as well as its own Sushi department with $5 Sushi Wednesdays and “Famous” $5 sandwiches at the deli along with ready-to-eat meals and heat-and-eat prepared foods.
Sprouts’ knowledgeable service and commitment to helping customers live and eat better is most evident in its vitamins and wellness department. Team members are trained to educate customers about the thousands of products the retailer offers, and feature natural body care products with strict quality standards and ethically sourced ingredients.
“Our vitamins department is unique,” Farley added. “With more than 7,500 products, our store team members are here to help customers find what they need to support their health.”
SPROUTS SERVICE
Last year, the retailer launched Sprouts Rewards, a loyalty program where customers can earn points, receive special discounts and receive personalized deals, recommendations and invites to exclusive rewards member events.
“We pride ourselves on service,” Martino said. “We help our customers navigate whatever food journey they’re going to take.”
Sprouts hired nearly 100 people (92 so far) and likely will hire more after opening. Employment information is available at Sprouts.com/ Careers and Sprouts hiring events are listed at Sprouts.com/Careers/ Hiring-Events.
“We look for people who fit into our purpose and values,” Farley said. “That matters to us.”
Customers can go to the Sprouts website or use the Sprouts app to place orders which Sprouts team members assemble for pick up, and there are delivery options.
SPROUTS SUSTAINABLE
While Sprouts partners with local and regional growers, depending on the season, it also connects with the community.
The Sprouts Healthy Communities Foundation announced a $325,000 donation to the Middle Country Library Foundation to expand nutrition education, as well as a garden and wellness programs offered at the library. That includes a “first-of-its kind,” 600-square-foot educational green house, designed as a year-round learning hub.
They plan to partner on seasonal events and year-round programming, including the “Let’s Eat: Farm to Table Exhibit” opening February 21, Spring and Fall community festivals, gardening and nutrition workshops, and Green Teens volunteer opportunities.
Through Sprouts’ Food Rescue program, the Centereach store will donate groceries no longer fit for sale but perfectly edible to Long Island Cares and Island Harvest. Sprouts may be new to New York State, but it views Centereach as the start of its growth in the region. “There are a lot of opportunities here on Long Island,” Martino said, noting Centereach and Levittown are meant to be the beginning of a larger relationship.
Sprouts Farmers Market Centereach 1934 Middle Country Rd., Centereach, NY 11720-3535
Hours: Open Daily: 7:00 a.m. To 10:00 p.m. More information: Sprouts.com/Centereach
Photos by Bob Giglione
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