Report: Sunflower Farmers Market operating its own farm

Boulder, Colo. Boulder, Colo.-based Sunflower Farmers Market is operating its own commercial farm to grow organic produce, according to The Denver Post.

The report said that Sunflower Farms Market is believed to be the nation's first grocery chain to own and operate a commercial-scale farm.

The 40-acre farm is expected to provide about 5% of the produce Sunflower sells at its 27 stores.

CEO Mike Gilliland said he sees the farm as a way to increase customer awareness of organic production and as a forum for special events and marketing campaigns.

"Eventually, we'd like to conduct tours and hold workshops on organic farming and sustainability issues," Gilliland said, according to The Denver Post.