Fresh & Easy Neighborhood Market said it’s planning to create 200 jobs in the next two months as the company continues expanding in Southern California, Arizona and Nevada.

The new jobs would add to nearly 3,000 that Fresh & Easy created in 2008.

Fresh & Easy said it’s aiming to recruit staff from local neighborhoods whenever possible and it offers opportunities for advancement. More than 50% of Fresh & Easy’s store employees live within four miles of the store where they work. The company says it has promoted nearly 300 people since opening its first stores in November 2007.

“We are thrilled to continue to create quality, local jobs with tremendous opportunity for advancement,” said Fresh & Easy CEO Tim Mason. “We know people are looking for jobs with good pay and comprehensive benefits and we are proud to be part of the solution.”

Entry-level positions at Fresh & Easy start at $10 an hour in California, with similarly competitive salaries in other states.