Fresh & Easy to Open First Sacramento-area Stores

Grocery chain Fresh & Easy plans to open its first six stores in the Sacramento, Calif., region in 2012. 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 believe everyone deserves access to fresh, wholesome food at affordable prices," noted Mason.

Despite financial losses, El Segundo, Calif.-based Fresh & Easy, a division of U.K. grocer Tesco, has continued to pursue growth in the Golden State, 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.

“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,” said Johnson.

“Providing access to healthy, affordable food is a key part of revitalizing our neighborhood,” added Schenirer.