Our story began in 1997 with the creation of the UBC Natural Food Co-op, a bulk buying food co-operative which in 2004 moved to the SUB and opened Sprouts, a student-run grocery store. In 2008, Sprouts was renovated and re-opened as a volunteer-run café, store, and community space serving hot lunches, coffee, and baked goods and selling organic, locally-grown produce and minimally-packaged staple and snack items. Sprouts also runs a bulk buying club, a Sprouts box delivery program, and hosts Community Eats, a by-donation lunch on Fridays.

In 2013 seedlings cafe opened in the penthouse of the Thea Koerner House.

After a fundraising campaign renovations to the Life building, Sprouts cafe and grocery location opened in January 2019.

As a non-profit and volunteer-run business, our profitable endeavors – Sprouts cafe and grocery store, and The Sprouts Box – are able to support our educational and outreach programs – Community Eats and Sprouts Workshops. Come visit us and you will find a friendly and warm space where everyone is welcome to enjoy that time-honoured combination of good food and good company.