TEMPE – Arizona State University and Sprouts Farmers Market today announced the extension of their partnership with a long-term commitment to and investment in women’s programs within Sun Devil Athletics and the EmpowHER student-athlete organization.

“Sprouts will support EmpowHER at Arizona State University by creating a way for members to gain leadership, professional development and life skills through a supportive funding mechanism that extends unique opportunities to Sun Devil student-athletes,” said Senior Associate Athletic Director Deana Garner-Smith. “With Sprouts support, ASU will broaden and enhance its development opportunities for our female student-athletes, coaches as well as male student-athlete allies.  We look forward to this partnership and advancing our collaboration.”

The EmpowHER chapter at Arizona State University was established to foster an environment for female student-athletes to communicate with their peers across sports, discuss topics that address their everyday life and to empower women to find strength in fellowship and character development that will stick with them when their sports careers are over. The establishing members set out to create a safe space where female athletes and allies can stand on common ground with coaches, teammates, and the community to promote constructive dialogue around basic life skills that will help athletes during their time at ASU and beyond graduation. EmpowHER activates a student-athlete voice that enhances education, leadership development, community and campus engagement for Sun Devil Athletics. All activities encompass this vision and help to further maximize the collective pursuit of comprehensive excellence.

“Sprouts is the place where goodness grows, offering delicious foods that nourish both families and athletes,” said Jack Sinclair, Chief Executive Officer of Sprouts. “We’re proud to sponsor these great female athletes.  Through the partnerships with the Pac-12 and Big 12 Conferences and their member universities, including Sun Devil Athletics, and alongside Jennie Finch, we pledge to continue to empower and educate women’s health and performance, bringing fresh and nutritional food options to them on and off the field.”

The newest avenue of this partnership coincides with the 50^th anniversary of Title IX, which prohibits sex-based discrimination in schools and educational programs.

“As we celebrate the 50^th anniversary of Title IX, we are reminded of the progress that has been made in the women’s sports industry over the past five decades,” said Timmi Zalatoris, Senior Vice President of Human Resources at Sprouts. “When we think about the next 50 years of gender equality, Sprouts is committed to the contagious momentum and remains invested in growing and changing the landscape of women’s sports for years to come.”

About Sprouts Farmers Market, Inc. 

Sprouts is the place where goodness grows. True to its farm-stand heritage, Sprouts offers a unique grocery experience featuring an open layout with fresh produce at the heart of the store. Sprouts inspires wellness naturally with a carefully curated assortment of better-for-you products paired with purpose-driven people. The healthy grocer continues to bring the latest in wholesome, innovative products made with lifestyle-friendly ingredients such as organic, plant-based and gluten-free. Headquartered in Phoenix, and one of the largest and fastest growing specialty retailers of fresh, natural and organic food in the United States, Sprouts employs approximately 31,000 team members and operates approximately 380 stores in 23 states nationwide. This year Sprouts celebrates its 20th anniversary. To learn more about Sprouts, and the good it brings communities, visit about.sprouts.com.