UBC Sprouts

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. In 2013, Seedlings opened in the north end of campus to address the food desert that existed by providing affordable vegan and vegetarian lunches, such as curry bowls and veggie burgers. As a non-profit and volunteer-run business, our profitable endeavours – Sprouts cafe and grocery store, Seedlings Cafe 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.