Fresh & Easy Breaks Ground for Another Store in South LA

SOUTH LOS ANGELES, Calif., Feb. 10, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Fresh & Easy Neighborhood Market today joined Bishop Charles E. Blake of West Angeles Church of God in Christ, Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, City Councilmember Herb Wesson, County Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas, City Controller Wendy Greuel and the West Angeles Community Development Corporation (CDC) in breaking ground on a new commercial office and retail center on the corner of Crenshaw & Jefferson Boulevards.

The 45,000 square foot West Angeles Plaza was led by West Angeles CDC and is directly across from the North Campus of West Angeles Church on Crenshaw Boulevard. The project will feature a new Fresh & Easy Neighborhood Market, as well as a bank, and will bring fresh, wholesome food to the neighborhood.

"We want to continue to be part of the solution in providing greater food access and healthier food options to all types of communities," said Fresh & Easy Vice President Mary Kasper, who spoke at today's groundbreaking. "We've found everyone wants access to the same types of foods – fresh produce, quality meats and poultry, and family staples like eggs and milk – at prices they can afford, right where they live."

Fresh & Easy recruits from the neighborhoods it serves and the Jefferson & Crenshaw store is expected to employ 20 to 30 people. Entry-level positions start at $10 an hour in California and offer quarterly bonuses of up to 10% as well as a 401(k) with company match. The company believes everyone deserves access to affordable and comprehensive healthcare and provides all employees the opportunity to work at least 20 hours per week, which entitles everyone to vision, prescription drug, dental and medical coverage with Fresh & Easy paying at least 75%.

One year ago this month, Fresh & Easy opened its first South Los Angeles store at Central & Adams as part of a mixed-use development that has already started to transform the neighborhood. A video about the first South LA opening is available on Fresh & Easy's YouTube channel: http://www.youtube.com/user/talkingfresh#p/u/12/TuRi0aFkOhk.

About Fresh & Easy Neighborhood Market

Fresh & Easy operates more than 150 stores in California, Arizona and Nevada. In addition to fresh prepared meals, meats and produce, Fresh & Easy offers everyone's favorite national brand products and household items, all at unbelievably low prices. The grocer's popular fresh&easy brand products have no artificial colors or flavors, no added trans fats, no high-fructose corn syrup, and only use preservatives when absolutely necessary.

On average, Fresh & Easy stores use 30% less energy than a typical supermarket, which helps customers save money – and also helps the environment. Fresh & Easy uses LED lighting in external signs and freezer cases, offers customer recycling in every store and uses advanced refrigeration and freezer units to cut back on energy usage. The company also recycles or reuses all of its display packaging, sending the majority back through its distribution center.

For more information about Fresh & Easy, visit www.freshandeasy.com. Also follow the company on Twitter at: www.twitter.com/fresh_and_easy and become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/freshandeasy.

SOURCE Fresh & Easy Neighborhood Market