Fresh & Easy Opens First San Francisco Store

SAN FRANCISCO, June 22, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee today joined U.S. Health and Human Services Regional Director Herb Schultz, executives from Fresh & Easy Neighborhood Market and dozens of neighborhood leaders to open the grocer's first store in San Francisco. The store, located in the Outer Richmond District at 32nd Avenue & Clement Street, was flooded with hundreds of customers when the doors opened at 10 am.

"Today as we celebrate the opening of Fresh & Easy's first grocery store in San Francisco, we are demonstrating once again the City's commitment to providing our residents access to fresh, wholesome food at affordable prices regardless of where they live," said Mayor Ed Lee. "This new store along with the Bayview store scheduled to open in August will provide local jobs to our residents and it will have lasting local economic impacts in these communities and the City as a whole."

For each store opening, Fresh & Easy invites neighbors to nominate a local, non-profit organization to receive a $1,000 donation. Based off the nominations from the neighborhood, store employees selected the Richmond District Neighborhood Center, which provides countless services for local residents of all ages. Charity nominations are currently being accepted for 3rd & Carroll at www.freshandeasy.com/goodneighbor.

Mary Kasper, Fresh & Easy's General Counsel and Vice President said: "We're thankful for the tremendous support we have received from the Mayor, the City of San Francisco and our newest neighbors. We look forward to opening in the Bayview in August and even more neighborhoods in the near future."

This Friday, Fresh & Easy and the City of San Francisco One Stop Hiring Center will host a job fair from 10 am to 5 pm at the Bayview Opera House to fill open positions at the 3rd Street & Carroll Avenue store. The store is set to open on August 24th and applications are currently being accepted online at www.freshandeasy.com/joinus.

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%.

To learn more about Fresh & Easy, neighbors and customers are invited to join Friends of Fresh & Easy at www.freshandeasy.com/friends. By joining, customers will have access to exclusive offers, the latest news on their favorite products and a free canvas bag.

About Fresh & Easy Neighborhood Market

Fresh & Easy operates 176 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/freshandeasy and become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/freshandeasy.

SOURCE Fresh & Easy Neighborhood Market