Sunflower Farmers Market
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2002 |
| Headquarters | Boulder, CO, U.S. and Phoenix, AZ, U.S. |
Number of locations | 35 |
Area served | Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas and Utah |
Key people | Chris Sherrell, President & CEO |
| Products | Food, natural food, organic food, frozen foods, grocery items, private-label items, natural living, bath and body care items, vitamins and supplements |
| Website | www www |
Sunflower Farmers Market was a U.S.-based grocery retailer headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona, focusing on affordable natural and organic product offerings. Established in 2002 with its inaugural store located in Albuquerque, New Mexico, by mid-2013 the chain operated 38 outlets spanning eight states in the Southwestern region: Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, Oklahoma and Texas (previously known as Newflower Farmers Market). In June 2012, it merged with Sprouts Farmers Market.
History
Libby Cook, the founder of Sunflower Farmers Market, brought two and a half decades of expertise in natural and organic food sectors and led the company as President and CEO from 2002 through 2005. Mike Gilliland assumed the CEO role in 2006; both he and Cook had previously co-founded Wild Oats Markets, which they expanded into a billion-dollar publicly traded enterprise featuring 115 stores across the United States and Canada.
In 2007, KMCP Advisors contributed $30 million through convertible preferred stock to support the chain’s expansion plans. The firm’s principals, Timothy Kelleher and Douglas Meltzer, also established Silver Canyon Group, a San Diego-based private equity firm specializing in growth equity investments. After Gilliland resigned in February 2011 amid legal challenges, then-president Chris Sherrell stepped in as interim CEO and was officially appointed to the position three months later. With Sherrell at the helm and KMCP’s continued support, Sunflower sustained its growth trajectory.
Merger
Sunflower Farmers Market combined operations with Sprouts Farmers Market in March 2012. Post-merger, Tim Kelleher from KMCP Advisors retained his board membership at Sprouts to assist with strategic governance.
Products
Sunflower Farmers Market positioned itself within the value-oriented segment of the natural and organic foods retail market. Operating under the slogan "Serious Food…Silly Prices," it provided a broad range of products including fresh produce, meats, seafood, bulk items, coffee, deli selections, natural bath and body care goods, vitamins, supplements, and in select stores, beer and wine.
To maintain low prices competitively, Sunflower limited overhead expenses by avoiding elaborate store fixtures and expensive retail locations. The company procured inventory in large quantities—often by pallet or full truckload—and engaged directly with suppliers by paying promptly without imposing slotting fees or shelf placement charges. This approach fostered strong supplier partnerships while expanding market presence.
Green Initiatives
- New store designs emphasize environmentally responsible construction utilizing sustainable materials and energy-saving methods.
- Certain locations offer dedicated parking spaces for alternative fuel vehicles, incorporate waterless urinals, utilize wind-generated electricity, feature refurbished fixtures, and employ automated lighting systems responsive to ambient daylight.
- Over 275 bulk food options help minimize plastic packaging waste.
- Customers receive a 10-cent discount when bringing reusable bags; stores also collect plastic bags for recycling programs.
- In-store events are hosted to support environmental nonprofit organizations.
- The company prioritizes the use of recycled and refurbished equipment whenever feasible.
- Fuel efficiency is improved through coordinated internal trucking logistics that optimize load capacity and maintain proper tire inflation.
These sustainability efforts complement Sunflower’s overall business model by promoting environmental responsibility alongside competitive growth within the natural foods industry.
Awards and recognition
- Tucson Weekly – Best of Tucson – Top Organic Food Retailer
- Albuquerque the Magazine – Best of the City – Leading Grocery Store
- International Council of Shopping Centers – 2010 Hot Retailers Award recipient
- Best of Burque 2010 – Second Place for Best Everyday Grocery Store; Outstanding Produce Selection
- Best of Boulder 2010 – Honorable Mention in Best Natural Foods Store category
- Colorado Springs Independent – Runner-up for Best Natural Foods Store
- Colorado Daily – CU & Boulder's Best 2010 – Second Place for Best Grocery
- Grocery Headquarters – Awarded Natural/Organic Supermarket Retailer of the Year
- Colorado Springs The Gazette – Best of the Springs 2010 – Bronze Award for Best Farmers Market
- ColoradoBiz 2010 CEO of the Year Award recipient
- Boulder Chamber of Commerce 2010 Entrepreneur of Distinction Award
External links
- Official website (Archived)
- Official Facebook page