Local Sprouts distribution center makes a difference in Wilmer every Tuesday

WILMER – Not only is Sprouts a good resident in Wilmer, but a good neighbor too.

So if you see a line snaking around the city’s community center on Tuesday just before noon, you might want to jump in the line.

According to the Sprouts Farmers Market website, the company’s Food Rescue Program donates all unmarketable – but still edible and nutritious – produce and groceries to local area hunger relief agencies.

Not long ago, the company began donating excess food like fruits and vegetables to Wilmer residents as well.

“You might ask yourself but what about a grocery store, or recreation center, or new library or senior center,” said Wilmer Mayor Emmanuel Wealthy-Williams.

“Please let me assure you that the questions that you are asking, are also a great concern to me.

“Let me reassure you that these developments are not being disregarded and will continue to be a priority focus. In the meantime, we have partnered with Sprouts to provide our community with free produce.”

That free produce is distributed to Wilmer residents every Tuesday at the city’s community event center at 11:15 a.m.

“All you need is your own shopping bag,” Wealthy-Williams said.

And sometimes the parking lot is so full you can’t park on Tuesday during the distribution.

While it is never certain what the fruit and vegetable options will be each week – or how much there will be to distribute – you can bet Sprouts will be there to give out something.

It was in 2014 Sprouts Farmers Market moved its distribution hub to Sunridge Blvd. in Wilmer.

The grocer went public in 2013. Now, six years later, the store has grown to more than 320 stores with over 30,000 employees.

The Sprouts website states, “So think of Sprouts as all of the very best parts of a real farmers market under one roof, open every day of the week.

“With our commitment to value in every department, and knowledgeable and friendly team members, we’re confident that once you shop Sprouts, you’ll think different is good too.”

The healthy food grocer has around 117,000 square-feet at the Wilmer distribution center.

The majority is a climate-controlled cooler – with about 5,000 square-feet as office space.

The Boney family, longtime San Diego grocers with a focus on making fresh foods affordable, opened its Sprouts Farmers Market store in Chandler, Ariz. in 2002 with farm-fresh produce and thousands of natural, organic and great-tasting foods at remarkably low prices.

These days, Sprouts stores and distribution centers continue to open stores around the country with plans in 2019 to open in Louisiana, New Jersey and Virginia.

The company has also donated 27 million pounds of food to those in need over the years. That is equivalent to 23 million meals, “reducing the impact of hunger in our communities and our company’s environmental footprint,” the website reads.

The Wilmer distribution center serves Dallas, Houston and other Texas cities.