Food Center is a family-owned grocery store company serving the needs of its customers in the Sanford, Michigan area. After working for a large grocery chain for some time, Bob Meyette and Bob Lowell felt they could better serve the needs of their local community by opening their own independant grocery store. That’s when they found the Sanford location, and in the summer of 1973, opened the Sanford IGA. Shortly thereafter, in 1978, they opened the Auburn IGA together.

After buying the stores from their fathers in 2006, Rob Meyette and Rob Lowell plan to continue the business of being “everything our customers need us to be.” In January of 2021, the Auburn location was acquired by Rogers Family Foods, while Sanford Food Center remains wholly-owned by the Meyettes and Lowells. Our customers tell us it’s not the name that matters nearly as much as the small-town service, convenience, and the fact that they don’t have to wait in lines.

We believe that small businesses and strong local commerce is the backbone of our economy. With a diverse climate and population, there are many great brands and products available to us right here in Michigan. As much and as often as possible, we support local businesses and suppliers and sell local products.