Row 7 Seed Company and Sprouts Farmers Market have joined forces to introduce a collection of exceptional, flavor-forward vegetables to produce aisles across California. Beginning this week, Sprouts shoppers in regions including the Bay Area, Sacramento Valley, Central Valley, and Fresno can discover five of Row 7’s celebrated varieties: Sweet Garleek, Badger Flame beets, Upstate Abundance potatoes, Koginut squash, and Honeypatch squash.
This partnership represents a shared mission between two companies that prioritize fresh produce and innovative agriculture. Together, they are redefining what consumers can expect from vegetables—proving that nutrition, sustainability, and flavor can coexist beautifully on the same plate.
A Partnership Rooted in Flavor and Innovation
Sprouts Farmers Market, known for its commitment to fresh, high-quality produce, and Row 7 Seed Company, a pioneer in flavor-driven breeding, are natural allies in the effort to make vegetables more exciting and enjoyable. By launching this focused regional rollout, both companies aim to connect California consumers with a new generation of vegetables bred for their taste, not just their yield or shelf life.
For Row 7 Founder Chef Dan Barber, this collaboration marks another step toward transforming how people experience vegetables. “We’ve always believed that flavor has the power to change how people eat,” said Barber. “Sprouts understands that flavor and nutrition go hand in hand—when vegetables taste this good, healthy eating becomes a pleasure, not a chore.”
That philosophy sits at the heart of Row 7’s mission. Co-founded by Barber, breeder Michael Mazourek, and seed specialist Matthew Goldfarb, Row 7 Seed Company focuses on breeding new vegetable varieties that elevate taste while maintaining strong agronomic performance for farmers. Their innovative approach flips traditional agricultural priorities—putting chefs and eaters at the center of crop development, alongside the farmers who grow them.
Bringing the Best of the Farm to the Aisle
The five varieties making their debut at Sprouts tell the story of how thoughtful breeding can lead to extraordinary flavor and performance. Each vegetable has been carefully developed through Row 7’s Trial Network, a participatory community of over 200 chefs, growers, and eaters who test crops across diverse environments. This collaborative process ensures that each new variety not only delivers exceptional taste but also meets the practical needs of farmers and home cooks alike.
Among the featured vegetables is the Sweet Garleek, a unique allium that blends the sweetness of leeks with the mellow savoriness of garlic. Its versatile nature allows cooks to use the entire plant—from its tender green tops to its bulbous base—whether sautéed, grilled, or eaten raw.
Another standout is the Badger Flame beet, bred to eliminate the earthy bitterness that often divides beet lovers and skeptics. The result is a golden, flame-hued beet that highlights the vegetable’s natural sweetness and mild, caramel-like flavor, making it perfect for salads, roasts, or even raw snacking.
Meanwhile, the Upstate Abundance potato, developed by second-generation breeder Walter de Jong, brings a naturally creamy texture and buttery flavor that requires no added butter. Its versatility makes it ideal for roasting, smashing, or boiling, offering home cooks a new favorite staple for comforting meals.
The Koginut squash, a brainchild of breeder Michael Mazourek, has achieved something of a cult following among chefs for its rich, nutty flavor and velvety consistency. Its small, personal size and stunning bronze skin make it as visually appealing as it is delicious—a perfect showcase of Row 7’s “flavor-first” philosophy.
Finally, the Honeypatch squash reimagines the familiar butternut by condensing its signature sweetness into a compact, single-serving size. The dense, sugary flesh delivers concentrated flavor in every bite, making it a go-to for roasting or pureeing.
Making Flavor Accessible to Home Cooks
Sprouts customers will not only find these vegetables on store shelves—they’ll also have access to exclusive recipes developed by Row 7’s culinary team. These recipes are designed to highlight each vegetable’s distinct character and inspire home cooks to experiment with new ingredients.
By offering these resources, Row 7 and Sprouts aim to bridge the gap between farm innovation and kitchen creativity, encouraging shoppers to rediscover the joy of cooking with vegetables that actually taste remarkable.
The collaboration also reinforces Sprouts’ reputation as a destination for fresh and unique produce. “At Sprouts, we’re passionate about introducing our customers to vegetables that go beyond the ordinary,” said a spokesperson for the retailer. “Partnering with Row 7 allows us to deliver something special—produce that’s been bred for flavor, backed by sustainable farming practices, and made accessible to everyday shoppers.”
The Future of Flavor-Driven Agriculture
The Row 7–Sprouts partnership represents a broader movement in agriculture—one that values biodiversity, sustainability, and sensory experience in equal measure. By focusing on flavor, Row 7 encourages consumers to build stronger connections to the foods they eat, while supporting growers who are committed to cultivating crops that enhance both taste and nutrition.
This collaboration is also an important milestone in Row 7’s mission to reach more consumers beyond farmers’ markets and fine-dining restaurants. Through Sprouts’ extensive retail presence in California, Row 7’s vegetables can now reach home cooks who are eager to explore what flavor-driven agriculture truly means.
Row 7’s approach contrasts sharply with conventional seed breeding, which has historically prioritized traits like uniformity, disease resistance, and shipping durability—often at the expense of taste. Instead, Row 7’s varieties are bred in the field and kitchen simultaneously, with chefs and farmers collaborating to shape crops that perform well in both environments.
The result is not only a superior eating experience but also a more sustainable model for agriculture. Many of Row 7’s crops are developed to thrive without heavy chemical inputs, supporting regenerative practices that enrich soil health and biodiversity.
A Shared Commitment to Better Food
For Sprouts Farmers Market, partnering with Row 7 underscores its ongoing mission to make fresh, healthy food accessible while celebrating innovation in the produce aisle. Sprouts’ customers have come to expect the unexpected—unique products that connect them to the stories of the growers and makers behind their food.
By featuring Row 7’s vegetables, Sprouts is giving its shoppers the opportunity to taste that story—one that begins in the soil, is shaped by science and creativity, and ends with a dish that’s as nutritious as it is delicious.
From the sweetness of the Honeypatch squash to the creamy richness of the Upstate Abundance potato, these vegetables are more than just groceries—they’re the result of years of collaboration, curiosity, and care.
As Barber put it, “When flavor comes first, everything else follows—health, sustainability, and joy at the table.”
With this partnership, Row 7 Seed Company and Sprouts Farmers Market are proving that better-tasting vegetables can help redefine the future of food—one flavorful bite at a time.
