Students debate ‘easy’ shopping at health chain

By Anthony Clegg

Students are divided as to whether the grocery store Fresh &
Easy Neighborhood Market, is important because of its range of
organic products or its economy-friendly prices.

In a recent LA Times article, it was shown that large grocers,
such as Albertsons, are currently reducing their prices in order to
compete with larger, cheaper warehouse grocers, such as Fresh &
Easy.

When comparing the prices of Fresh & Easy to Vons, some
items are clearly less expensive at the former.

The closest Fresh & Easy store is located less than two
miles away from campus on Grand and Valley.

Ground beef at Fresh & Easy, for example, sells for $1.69
per pound, where at Vons the same beef sells for more than
double.

For some students, organic selection is the main appeal, but the
economy-friendly prices are an added bonus.

“I go there because they offer a healthy variety of food,” said
Lyndsey Dugan, a fourth-year biology student.

In 2006, the United Kingdom-based grocer Tesco announced its
plans to open grocery stores in the U.S. under the name of Fresh
& Easy Neighborhood Market.

“Both the organic selection and the price drop draw me in.
Trader Joe’s is just too expensive,” said Jessica Baiuyot, a
first-year graphic design student.

There are several students who are greatly attracted to the
store’s low prices, and less by the range of organic groceries.

“Their lower prices really help,” said Abram Largoza, a
second-year electrical engineering student.

“I like it more because of their lower prices, but then they
accentuate it by being fresh.”

Reach Anthony Clegg at lifestyle@thepolypost.com

Paul Rosales/Poly Post

Students debate ‘easy’ shopping at health chain