New Year's Resolution 101: Stretch Your Budget and Stay Lean in 2009

EL SEGUNDO, Calif., Jan. 5 /PRNewswire/ -- Budgets have tightened over the last year due to tough economic times and people are changing the way they shop. People are cooking more at home and are purchasing products with longer shelf life. Fresh & Easy Neighborhood Market has noticed a sharp spike in its sales of canned foods over the past few months, particularly canned fruits and vegetables. In response to the needs of its customers on a budget for fresh quality products, the company is launching a line of 98-cent Produce Packs. Customers don't have to make compromises to provide fresh fruits and vegetables for their families, particularly in the New Year as people recover from a food-filled holiday season.

"It's clear customers are trying to stretch budgets but they also tell us they don't want to compromise on quality or freshness," says Simon Uwins Chief Marketing Officer at Fresh & Easy. "We are introducing the 98-cent Produce Packs to help our customers start the year off right without breaking the bank. We're making changes so customers have more choices in the way they are feeding their families."

The 98-cent Produce Packs are delivered fresh daily to stores and currently include apples, oranges, peaches and tomatoes. With the new line, customers can always choose from six different fruits and vegetables which will rotate depending on season and availability.

"Now that the holidays are over, people are starting to reevaluate their eating habits to get back on track to better health," says Fresh & Easy Spokesperson and Registered Dietitian Janice Baker. "When shopping, families need to choose foods that are high in fiber, vitamins and minerals, yet lower in fat and calories. These foods usually keep the stomach full longer as well. Consuming lots of fruits and vegetables is a great foundation to a healthy, well balanced diet."

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), in 2005, only one in seven Americans exercised enough and ate at lease five servings of fruits and vegetables daily(1). Poor diet and a sedentary lifestyle, the CDC reports, can lead to increased health risks such as obesity and diabetes.

Health experts suggest a combination of fruits like oranges and apples, vegetables like spinach and tomatoes, dairy like low-fat milk and yogurt, lean protein like chicken and complex carbohydrates like whole grain breads and brown rice -- foods that are considered ideal for a healthy diet. Fresh & Easy Neighborhood Market's own-label has no artificial colors or flavors, no added trans fats and uses preservatives only when absolutely necessary.

Today, about 66 percent of adults in the United States are overweight or obese(2) and a Mayo Clinic article published in 2008 reports that many kids in this country are overweight or at-risk of becoming overweight(3).

"That's why it's important that parents set an example for their children," says Baker. "The entire family needs to eat right together so that everyone achieves their New Year's goals."

Visit http://www.freshandeasy.com for a store near you and for specials on wholesome offerings for the New Year.

About Fresh & Easy Neighborhood Market

At roughly 10,000 square feet, Fresh & Easy markets are smaller than the typical supermarket to give customers a faster, easier shopping experience. In addition to fresh, prepared meals and produce, Fresh & Easy offers everyone's favorite national brand products and household items, all at everyday low prices.

Each store employs approximately 20 to 30 people. All Fresh & Easy employees are given the opportunity to work at least 20 hours per week, which entitles them to comprehensive and affordable healthcare. Entry-level positions start at $10 an hour in California, with similarly competitive salaries in other states, and offer a quarterly bonus of up to 10% and a 401(K) with company match.

More information regarding Fresh & Easy Neighborhood Market can be found at http://www.freshandeasy.com.

(1) "Prevalence of Fruit and Vegetable Consumption and Physical Activity by Race/Ethnicity --- United States, 2005." 6 Apr. 2007. Centers for Disease Control - MMWR Weekly. http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5613a2.htm. (2) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, "Health, United States, 2007, with Chartbook on Trends in the Health of Americans." http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/hus/hus07.pdf#074 (3) "Childhood Obesity: Make weight loss a family affair." Mayoclinic.com. June 28, 2008 http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/childhood-obesity/FL00058

Fresh & Easy Neighborhood Market

CONTACT: Tatum Wan of Fresh & Easy Neighborhood Market, +1-310-473-4422,
cell, +1-818-590-1530

Web site: http://www.freshandeasy.com/