Point Loma residents will soon have another option for local grocery shopping as the Fresh & Easy Neighborhood Market prepares to open its doors at Catalina Boulevard and Canon Street.
The store’s five-day-long grand opening celebration kicks off Wednesday, Aug. 13 beginning at 10 a.m.
As part of its integration into the Point Loma community, Fresh & Easy Market is inviting residents to nominate a local nonprofit organization community members feel should receive a $1,000 contribution.
Store employees will pick the winning charity and donate the funds during the opening-day festivities.
“It’s something we do for all of our stores,” said spokesperson Brendan Wonnacott. “It’s a way to introduce ourselves into the neighborhood.”
Smaller than the usual supermarket, Fresh & Easy representatives said their neighborhood-size stores are easily accessible and offer everything from everyday staples to gourmet items.
From fresh and wholesome food choices, including prepared meals and organic foods, Fresh & Easy officials say the store makes healthful eating easy and affordable.
Covering about 10,000 square feet, the Point Loma location will create 20 to 30 jobs for which the company will hold on-site job fairs aimed at hiring neighborhood employees, according to Wonnacott.
“The job fairs at the site are basically a good way for us to get people from the community,” he said. “We can’t be a neighborhood store without hiring neighborhood employees.”
Fresh & Easy Market is a part of international retailer Tesco, which operates more than 3,400 stores across 12 countries, employing more than 400,000 people, according to Wonnacott.
As part of its unique efforts to exhibit its socially conscientious business practices, Fresh & Easy Market will recycle or reuse all shipping and display materials and utilize environmentally friendly trailers for food transportation, according to Wonnacott.
“Fresh & Easy strives to be a good neighbor. We enact policy across the board with that in mind,” Wonnacott said.
“We take a lot of environmental initiative in our stores. We recycle or reuse all of our packaging. We use LED lighting in our signs and freezer cases. Part of being a good neighbor is being responsible stewards in the environment … We look forward to servicing the neighborhood and bringing fresh, wholesome food at affordable prices,” he said.
For more information, visit www.freshandeasy.com.