Sprouts Farmers Market opens DC to support Florida expansion

Sprouts Farmers Market is expanding its footprint in the Sunshine State.
  
The grocer opened a produce distribution center in Orlando, marking its first distribution center in Florida and its seventh nationwide. The new center will serve Sprout’s existing 23 stores in the state and the additional 10 locations that it plans to open in Florida this year.

Sprouts is partnering with Penske Logistics as its third-party logistics provider for the distribution center and dedicated transportation fleet. The 135,000-sq.-ft. facility includes 34°F and 55°F storage and fruit ripening rooms that are ideal for the grocer’s wide variety of fresh produce. 

Sprouts recently announced it will drive efficiencies across its network of fresh distribution centers by locating them within 250 miles of the stores they serve, allowing for fresher, local assortment.

“With organics representing more than a third of our produce business in Florida, we know shoppers across the state are interested in fresh, affordable organics and local varieties,” said chief fresh merchandising officer Scott Neal. “Additionally, the new center’s state-of-the-art ripening rooms provide the ideal climate for produce storage.”

In addition to the new Orlando facility, Sprouts currently operates distribution centers in Aurora, Colo.; Colton and Union City, Calif.; Glendale, Ariz.; Wilmer, Texas; and Atlanta.

Headquartered in Phoenix, Sprouts operates more than 360 stores in 23 states nationwide.