The chairman and CEO of natural food chain Sunflower Farmers Market has resigned after he was arrested last week as part of a child prostitution investigation.

Michael Gilliland, founder of Sunflower and Wild Oats Market, was reportedly arrested for soliciting sex online with someone who identified themselves as an under-age girl. He now faces a felony charge of child prostitution.

Discover B2B Marketing That Performs

Combine business intelligence and editorial excellence to reach engaged professionals across 36 leading media platforms.

Find out more

Sunflower said Gilliland told the company he believes he is not guilty of the charges and expects to be exonerated.

Sunflower’s president and COO, Chris Sherrell, was named acting chief executive by the company’s board of directors.

“Sunflower appreciates the respect that Mr. Gilliland has shown for the company by his action so that his personal affairs will not affect the company,” Sherrell commented.

Sherrell has been with Sunflower since it was founded in 2002. He said that the change in management would not impact operations or the group’s plans for “continuing expansion”.

GlobalData Strategic Intelligence

US Tariffs are shifting - will you react or anticipate?

Don’t let policy changes catch you off guard. Stay proactive with real-time data and expert analysis.

By GlobalData

Bennett Bertoli, a member of the board since 2002, was elected chairman, Sunflower said.

Sunflower operates 32 stores in California, Colorado, Arizona, New Mexico, Nevada, Utah and Texas.

Just Food Excellence Awards - The Benefits of Entering

Gain the recognition you deserve! The Just Food Excellence Awards celebrate innovation, leadership, and impact. By entering, you showcase your achievements, elevate your industry profile, and position yourself among top leaders driving food industry advancements. Don’t miss your chance to stand out—submit your entry today!

Nominate Now