Fresh & Easy Gives $1.3 Million Through Shop for Schools Program

EL SEGUNDO, Calif., April 14, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Fresh & Easy Neighborhood Market announced today the results of its third annual Shop for Schools program. Nearly 2,000 schools actively participated in Shop for Schools this school year, earning more than $1.3 million that each school can use for whatever they need most.

John P. Cole, Clark County School District Trustee, said of the Shop for Schools program: "I am thoroughly impressed that Fresh & Easy uses such an innovative and productive approach to becoming a welcome partner in its communities through assisting local schools. Although programs such as this should never be considered as a replacement of any of the state's responsibility to adequately fund education, it does allow local schools to raise funds for a wide variety of program uses. These kinds of community partnerships are a much needed boost in difficult times such as these."

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.  

"Shop for Schools is much more than just a fundraising program – it is a great way for us to connect directly with parents and teachers to work on the issues that are important for our neighbors," said Fresh & Easy CEO Tim Mason. "We are thrilled to see such an increase in participation and interest in the program this year and we know next year's program will be a success with even more partnership with our neighbors."

Kindergarten through eighth grade schools located within a three-mile radius of any Fresh & Easy store can participate in the Shop for Schools program. For every $20 spent at a Fresh & Easy store from September 15 through December 31, 2010, participating schools received a $1 donation. In addition to collecting receipts, registered schools could also participate in Shopping Nights, which provided an opportunity to raise even more money. From 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. on each school's designated shopping night, five percent of the total sales at the local Fresh & Easy store were donated to the school.  

Fresh & Easy plans to bring the program back again in fall 2011 and for the first time ever, offer online registration in mid-May. Visit www.freshandeasy.com/shopforschools for more information.

About Fresh & Easy Neighborhood Market

Fresh & Easy operates more than 170 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