Containers for growth of sprouts are described. The covered containers have an air-permeable seal and may also have additional openings to increase the air permeability rate of the covered container. The air permeability rate is balanced to have sufficient air exchange but with an evaporation rate that is low enough to avoid addition of water during germination and growth of the cryo-sprouts. The seeds and sufficient water are added to the container and covered with a lid to form an air-permeable covered container. The seeds germinate and grow in the covered container at pathogen antagonistic temperature without the removal of the lid until use by consumer. This results in cryo-spouts in that have reduced numbers of pathogenic organisms, are greener and have an extended shelf-life.
