Jonathan Sprouts Celebrates 50 Years of Growing Fresh Organic Sprouts St. Patrick’s Day
March 17, 2026 | 4 min to read
Family-owned Massachusetts company marks five decades of innovation, food safety leadership, and growth
ROCHESTER, MA — On St. Patrick’s Day in 1976, Bob and Barbara Sanderson delivered their first order of alfalfa sprouts to Stop & Shop. Fifty years later, Jonathan Sprouts is marking its golden anniversary with the same focus that defined day one: grow responsibly, serve customers well, and never compromise on safety.
Today, Jonathan Sprouts serves more than 50 retail partners across the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, and Midwest, delivering to over 1,000 store locations including Shaw’s, Stop & Shop, Giant, Market Basket, Hannaford, Sprouts Farmers Market, and ShopRite.
“Fifty years ago, my aunt and uncle built this company on discipline and integrity,” said Liz Reilley, President of Jonathan Sprouts. “They believed if you did things the right way, customers would stay with you. That philosophy still drives every decision we make as we build for the next 50 years.”
A Legacy of Food Safety Leadership
Sprout production demands rigor. From the earliest days, Bob Sanderson implemented a triple-testing protocol that exceeded industry norms at the time. Building on that foundation, Jonathan Sprouts now requires that nothing leaves its Rochester facility without a Certificate of Analysis from a third-party laboratory.
Over the decades, the company has collaborated with government agencies, academic institutions, and industry partners to strengthen sprout safety standards. That work contributed to protocols now incorporated into the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA), helping modernize produce safety nationwide.
“Our category has faced scrutiny over the years,” Reilley said. “Instead of stepping back, we leaned in. Rigorous testing isn’t a marketing line for us. It’s how we’ve earned trust for five decades.”
Expanding the Definition of Plant-Based Wellness
While sprouts remain the company’s foundation, Jonathan Sprouts has expanded thoughtfully into adjacent products rooted in the same plant-based principles.
Drawing on published research around the properties of broccoli sprouts, the company developed a broccoli sprout-infused skincare line.
“We’re the first fresh produce company to cross the aisle into skincare,” Reilley said. “Our skin is our body’s largest organ. It made sense to explore nourishing it with the same plant-based nutrients we value in food.”
Broccoli sprouts contain concentrated levels of sulforaphane along with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. While their dietary benefits have been studied for decades, emerging research suggests topical applications may support collagen production, antioxidant protection, and anti-inflammatory activity.
Jonathan Sprouts also operates a retail shop at Kilburn Mill in New Bedford, offering skincare products and branded apparel.
Reviving Massachusetts’ Cranberry Heritage
In recent years, the company has invested in preserving Massachusetts’ 250-year cranberry legacy through its organic cranberry cooperative, helping connect regional growers with retail demand and supporting heirloom varieties.
“This year was our best cranberry season ever—a big turning point in our mission to keep Massachusetts’s 250-year cranberry heritage alive,” Reilley said. “With the support of our regional retailers, we’ve helped revive native heirloom organic cranberries and bring them back to market.”
Securing the Next 50 Years
As part of its long-term vision, Reilley recently purchased the Rochester farmland where the company has operated since 1976 under a handshake agreement, including the historic White’s Barn and surrounding acreage. The investment secures the company’s permanent home and positions it for responsible growth in the decades ahead.
“Being here for 50 years is something we don’t take lightly,” Reilley said. “We stand on the shoulders of the people who built this business before us. Our responsibility now is to protect what they created and strengthen it for the next generation.”
About Jonathan Sprouts
Founded in 1976 by Bob and Barbara Sanderson, Jonathan Sprouts is a USDA Organic and Kosher-certified sprout grower based in Rochester, Massachusetts. Led today by President Liz Reilley, the company supplies major retailers across the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, and Midwest and remains committed to rigorous food safety standards, regional agriculture, and plant-based innovation.