Southeastern Grocers Plans Events Around Florida Fresco y Mas Expansion

As first reported by WGB, Southeastern Grocers Inc. has made the strategic decision to diversify the grocer’s offerings in Lehigh Acres, Fla., by bringing its Hispanic-focused Fresco y Mas banner to the community.

The new store, and the grocer’s 27th location, will open Oct. 21 at 1145 Homestead Road North, a site currently doing business under Southeastern’s Winn-Dixie banner. It will feature a full-service Latin butcher shop (Carniceria) with an expanded selection of custom-cut meats and an all-new bakery (Panaderia) for customers to enjoy items such as tres leches cake or croquette with Cuban coffee in the new cafe.

“We are committed to cultivating a shopping experience that meets the needs of each community we serve and is tailored to the everyday lifestyles of our customers. With a growing desire for Hispanic products in Southwest Florida, we are thrilled to introduce the Lehigh Acres community to our Hispanic grocery store, Fresco y Mas,” said Anthony Hucker, president and CEO of Southeastern Grocers, in a release.

Southeastern established Fresco y Mas in South Florida in late 2006 with conversions of some stores in South Florida that were ailing under the Winn-Dixie but turned the corner with a refocus on area Hispanic shoppers under Fresco y Mas. The Lehigh Acres store will be its first in the Fort Meyers area.

In advance of the store’s grand opening, Fresco y Mas will distribute 25,000 pounds of fresh produce and shelf-stable food to the local community during a drive-thru mobile food pantry event in partnership with Lehigh Community Services. The event will take place Oct. 10 from 9 a.m. to noon at the Iglesia Cristiana Misionera AIC in Lehigh Acres. Food donations will be distributed to the public on a first-come, first-served basis, while supplies last.

The new Fresco y Mas will be officially introduced with a ribbon cutting celebration at 7:45 a.m. Oct. 21, followed by a small community event on Oct. 24. As a continued COVID-19 safety precaution, customers are asked to maintain social distancing protocols while enjoying the new store.