I feel like Florida is the last place to get most anything common everywhere else. It’s usually okay, except as a food nerd, I do love grocery store chains, and while we have some great ones here, it’s slow coming to get more of what everyone else has.
Except in the last 2-3 years, we’re starting to see more healthy-living grocery chains in Tampa Bay. I like options, people, so this makes me so happy. The newest Sprouts Farmers Market opened (officially) yesterday, in Palm Harbor, Florida. I grew up close to this new location, but live about equal distances from the Palm Harbor location, and the South Tampa chain today. We also have one in Carrollwood. It may take us a while to get it all, but when it rains, it pours, and I’m okay with that!
I was invited on Tuesday for Friends and Family night, with a small blogger tour to learn more about our newest Sprouts location. “Sprouts is the grocery shopping experience that makes healthy living easy and affordable. Our bright and cheery neighborhood stores offer fresh, natural and organic groceries at incredible prices – and in an approachable setting that feels like an old-fashioned farmers market.”
I was impressed by Sprouts. They claim to be 20-25% less than conventional grocery stores. I actually went back with my mom yesterday for their Grand Opening to really shop, and see. I’d have to say, most everyday items I’d shop for at our local national chain (meat, produce, coffee) were either very close in price, or less than the national brand. It just depended on the item.
The produce is seriously beautiful! At Sprouts, the produce is actually in the center of the store as kind of the anchor of it all. I don’t know about your local grocery, but I can rarely find what I consider specialty produce, or if I can, it’s very overpriced, and usually already wilted. I found red, and gold beets, large Hass avocados, and small, Cotton Candy grapes (um, these are amazing, p.s.), gorgeous heirloom tomatoes, and crisp endive. Seriously, I always want to make my Greek Salad Endive Boats in the summer, but the endive I usually find is small, and wilted, and sad. These are items I would imagine at a farmers market, if we didn’t live in Florida. I’ll be back to Sprouts for their produce alone.
They have an impressive bulk section with grains, nuts, etc. But what I was most excited for when it came to bulk, were their bulk spices. I hate when I need a tablespoon of one spice, a spice I may not need for everyday cooking, and the jar is $6.oo. At Sprouts you can buy your spices in bulk, and weigh as much as you need.
In all honesty, I love the deli counter just about everywhere. The two days I visited, it was way packed with eager patrons, so I skimmed, and moved on. I can’t tell you too much about those products or prices, but I did sample a piece of sushi on Tuesday, and picked up a roll for dinner last night. Usually grocery store sushi is stale tasting to me, and I’m generally disappointed. At Sprouts, their sushi is hand-rolled on site, so it’s much more fresh. It wasn’t life changing sushi by any means, but compared to other grab-and-go sushi, it’s definitely the best I’ve had.
They also have a fresh salad bar. This location’s salad bar goes for $7.99/lb. Pretty standard, but I was impressed by their offerings.
If you’re gluten-free, those items will be marked with an orange tag!
Sprouts Farmers Market supports local businesses, and offers several local products, up to 500 miles, for sale. This will always make me happy.
Sprouts celebrates Double Ad Wednesdays: “Because our weekly ad prices run from Wednesday to Wednesday, you can save the most in the middle of the week when the ads overlap. Shop Sprouts on Wednesday for twice the savings!” #holla
They also offer mobile coupons from their app, and deals of the month.
I was thoroughly impressed with the newest Sprouts Farmers Market to Tampa Bay, and can’t wait to go back.
Do you have a Sprouts in your area? If so, tell me your favorite items to shop for!
I love Sprouts! We had one where we lived in Texas and it was one of my favorite places.
I’m so excited we have one here now (three, actually)!