Fresh & Easy to Open First Sacramento Stores

SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- Grocery chain Fresh & Easy plans to open its first six stores in the Sacramento region in 2012, the company announced. CEO Tim Mason joined Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson and City Councilmember Jay Schenirer for a groundbreaking event at the site of the future Oak Park at 34th & Broadway store.

"We're excited to continue to expand to new neighborhoods and create good jobs throughout California," said Mason. "We believe everyone deserves access to fresh, wholesome food at affordable prices and we are looking forward to introducing Sacramento to Fresh & Easy."

Despite financial losses, Fresh & Easy has continued to pursue growth in California, opening 13 stores in northern California so far in 2011. The planned new stores will be located at Watt Ave. and El Camino Ave., 34th St. and Broadway, and Mack Road and Franklin Blvd. in Sacramento; Lincoln and Sterling Road in Lincoln; Elk Grove Florin Road and Calvine Road in Elk Grove; and E. Natoma St. and Blue Ravine Road in Folsom. The stores will create an estimated 150 jobs in the area, according to the announcement.

"I'm excited to welcome Fresh & Easy to our neighborhood," said Johnson. "Fresh & Easy is not only bringing more good jobs to Sacramento, but also high-quality, healthy food at affordable prices to neighborhoods that don't always have access to such foods."

"We are so pleased to have a Fresh & Easy store open in Oak Park," added Schenirer. "Providing access to healthy, affordable food is a key part of revitalizing our neighborhood and we are thrilled to have Fresh & Easy as a partner in doing so."