Fresh & Easy's Third-Annual Shop for Schools Fundraising Program Kicks Off Today

FRESNO, Calif., Sept. 15 /PRNewswire/ -- With schools across California, Arizona and Nevada back in session, Fresh & Easy Neighborhood Market kicked off its third-annual Shop for Schools fundraising program today at a store opening in Fresno, California. Shop for Schools was launched as a pilot program in spring 2009, raising more than $130,000 for schools in California, Nevada and Arizona. Fresh & Easy brought the program back in fall 2009, raising another $670,000 for local schools.

Though Shop for Schools has started, eligible schools can sign up for the program through October 1, 2010. Participating schools will receive a $1 cash donation for every $20 receipt collected from any Fresh & Easy store through December 31, 2010. At the end of the program, Fresh & Easy will award the top fundraising school in each state with a $5,000 bonus.

"At a time when school districts across the state are faced with difficult budget choices, it is important for companies like Fresh & Easy to step in and help," said Bonnie Reiss, California's Secretary of Education. "We are extremely grateful that Fresh & Easy is coming back this school year with the Shop for Schools program."

In addition to collecting receipts, registered schools can participate in Shopping Nights, which provide an opportunity to raise even more money. From 4pm to 8pm on each school's designated shopping night, five percent of the total sales at the local Fresh & Easy store are donated to the school.

"We're excited that Shop for Schools has played such an important role over the past two school years in bringing needed funds to neighborhood classrooms," said Tim Mason, Fresh & Easy CEO. "We are happy to be able to help and we hope schools are even more successful through this year's program."

Fresh & Easy recently created this video on the Shop for Schools program: http://www.youtube.com/user/talkingfresh#p/a/u/1/fWCetri7GK0. More information about Shop for Schools can be found at www.freshandeasy.com/shopforschools.

Fresh & Easy has opened six stores in California this month, including stores in Fresno and Clovis today. The company will open three stores in San Diego County on September 22nd.

About Fresh & Easy Neighborhood Market

Fresh & Easy operates 165 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 contain no artificial colors or flavors, no added trans fats, no high-fructose corn syrup and use preservatives only when absolutely necessary.

On average, Fresh & Easy stores use 30% less energy than a typical supermarket – helping save customers money while helping 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.

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. Fresh & Easy 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%.

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