The Middle Country Library Foundation has received a $325,000 donation from the Sprouts Healthy Communities Foundation. This funding coincides with the upcoming opening of Sprouts Farmers Market’s first New York store in Centereach on January 30, 2026. The three-year partnership aims to expand nutrition education, gardening, and wellness programs at the library.
Sophia Serlis-McPhillips, director of the Middle Country Public Library, said, “The cornerstone of this partnership will be helping people learn real world skills to make healthier choices in their everyday lives. Sprouts’ investment is transformational and will allow us to scale our gardening and nutrition education programs in a way we’ve never been able to do until now.”
A central feature of the collaboration is a new 600-square-foot educational greenhouse. The space will serve as a hub for hands-on programs open to all ages. It will include indoor and outdoor garden beds to enable year-round activities such as seed starting, edible gardening basics, and composting in small spaces. Cooking classes using vegetables grown onsite and ingredients from the new Sprouts store will help participants develop practical skills for meal preparation.
Lyndsey Waugh, executive director of the Sprouts Healthy Communities Foundation, stated, “Positive experiences like growing, tasting and preparing fresh nutritious food help spark a desire to make healthier food choices for people at any age. These moments not only build skills, but they also build community, and we’re thrilled to play our part.”
Planned initiatives include a hands-on exhibit called Let’s Eat: Farm to Table Exhibit for young children; annual Spring Jubilee and Fall Festival events; workshops co-hosted with Sprouts on gardening and healthy cooking; and Green Teens volunteer projects such as tree planting and greenhouse support.
Nick Farley, store manager of Centereach Sprouts, commented, “Being a part of our community is core to Sprouts values and one of the ways we bring our purpose of helping people live and eat better to life. Our entire store team is looking forward to getting involved and building meaningful connections through this partnership.”
The Sprouts Healthy Communities Foundation works with local organizations across states where Sprouts operates to advance nutrition education efforts. In 2026 alone, its supported programs are expected to reach about six million youth and two million adults.
More information about upcoming library events can be found at www.mcplibrary.org or about the foundation at www.sprouts.com/foundation.
