Hickory Nut Gap Farms Expands Retail Availability Nationwide With Sprouts Farmers Market Launch
October 15, 2026 | 3 min to read
ASHEVILLE, N.C. — Hickory Nut Gap Farms products are now available to more shoppers nationwide through a new retail partnership with Sprouts Farmers Market. All Sprouts locations—more than 500 stores—now offer Hickory Nut Gap Farms Vital Blend, a 100% grass-fed, grass-finished ground beef blended with heart and liver for increased nutrient density.
The launch gives Sprouts’ wellness-minded customers another protein-centric option that supports U.S. family farms.
Hickory Nut Gap’s Vital Blend combines grass-fed, grass-finished ground beef with heart and liver for added nutrient density. The product contains up to 4 grams more protein than conventional 80% lean, 20% fat ground beef and has grown in popularity across the marketplace.
“Our Vital Blend is a unique product for many reasons,” said Jamie Ager, fourth-generation farmer and co-founder of Hickory Nut Gap Farms. “From a nutrient density standpoint, beef is a powerhouse. The addition of heart and liver is subtle, but meaningful to the health-conscious consumer. With a supply chain that is made up of 100% U.S. family farms, it’s also important to us to honor every part of the animal. When we launched this product in 2018, we hoped that buyers and consumers would see those benefits. The fact that Sprouts Farmers Market and their customer base also hold these values in high regard means the world to us.”
Hickory Nut Gap Farms sources its beef from family farms throughout the southeastern United States, where cattle are raised using regenerative agriculture practices. The cattle are 100% grass-fed and grass-finished on high-quality pasture, without antibiotics or added hormones.
Vital Blend reflects a commitment to sustainable agriculture, support for family farms, clean ingredient labels and high standards of animal welfare.
Shoppers can find Vital Blend in the meat department at all Sprouts Farmers Market locations in a one-pound brick format. Select Sprouts locations in the Northeast also carry Hickory Nut Gap Breakfast Sausage.
In addition to Sprouts, Hickory Nut Gap Vital Blend is available at Harris Teeter, Earth Fare, Whole Foods Market stores in the Southeast, and various local and regional natural food retailers. It is also available at HickoryNutGap.com.
About Sprouts Farmers Market, Inc.
Sprouts Farmers Market is one of the fastest-growing specialty retailers of fresh, natural and organic food in the United States. With fresh produce at the heart of its stores, Sprouts helps people live and eat better by offering delicious discoveries for a range of dietary lifestyles. Its curated assortment includes organic, gluten-free, plant-based and non-GMO products that inspire wellness naturally.
Headquartered in Phoenix, Sprouts employs approximately 36,000 team members and operates more than 500 stores in 25 states. Learn more at Sprouts.com/about.
About Hickory Nut Gap Farms
Hickory Nut Gap Farms is a pioneering provider of premium pasture-raised meats. The company sources animals from family farms that manage regenerative pastures throughout the southeastern United States. Its products include 100% grass-fed, grass-finished beef and pasture-raised pork for retailers, restaurants, distribution partners and consumers.
All Hickory Nut Gap animals are humanely raised and never given antibiotics or added hormones. Products are available at Sprouts Farmers Market nationwide, Whole Foods Market stores in the Southeast, Harris Teeter, Earth Fare, FreshDirect, local and regional grocery cooperatives, restaurants and specialty food stores across the United States.
Visitors are welcome at Hickory Nut Gap Farm, located at 57 Sugar Hollow Road in Fairview, North Carolina. The farm features a store, events and opportunities to learn more about regenerative agriculture.