Fresh & Easy Relaunches Design-A-Bag Contest

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. -- Fresh & Easy Neighborhood Market launched its second annual Design-A-Bag contest, which invites customers to design and then vote on the look of the chain's next reusable bag, the company announced. Anyone 13 years of age and up in Arizona, California and Nevada can submit their bag design to the contest at www.freshandeasy.com/designabag.

"Our first Design-A-Bag contest was a huge hit and customers loved the great design that won, so we're excited to bring back the contest this year," said Roberto Munoz, Fresh & Easy director of neighborhood affairs. "We believe that offering affordable -- and hip -- reusable bag options will continue to encourage customers to use them even more."

Customers submitted more than 1,300 designs to last year's contest, the winner of which was selected by 'friends of Fresh & Easy,' customers who signed up to receive company news and exclusive purchasing offers. The bag that received the majority of the 24,000 votes cast was launched as a limited-edition item in stores earlier this year.

A panel of judges will select up to 10 finalists based on the submissions' originality and creativity. Friends of Fresh & Easy will again get to vote on the winner from June 21 through July 10. Design finalists will receive a $100 Fresh & Easy gift card, and the winner will receive a year's worth of free groceries at a value of $5,000.

The Design-A-Bag contest is part of Fresh & Easy's efforts to encourage the use of reusable bags, according to the company. Yesterday, the company launched a giveaway in celebration of Earth Day on its Facebook page, where customers can download a coupon for a free reusable canvas bag when they spend $20 or more.