In Jacksonville, Ashley Linder is advocating for the city to tackle the pressing issue of a burgeoning food desert in her community, particularly following the recent shutdown of a local Popeyes, which highlights the ongoing struggle for access to nutritious food.
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — A lifelong resident of Jacksonville is urging municipal leaders to address a persistent food desert along Kings Road. Her call to action comes in the wake of another business closure, further reducing the scarce food options available to local residents.
Ashley Linder, who has deep roots on Jacksonville’s Northside, has observed the gradual disappearance of businesses in her area over the years. The latest closure is the Popeyes near Edward Waters University, which shuttered its doors permanently on January 19th.
“Whenever I drive past, it’s always another store closing or something else shutting down,” Linder remarked.
With this latest closure, Linder points out that the community is now left with only a Dollar General and a Checkers restaurant within walking range. She characterizes the area as a food desert, a difficult situation especially for the elderly and students at Edward Waters University who may lack reliable transportation.
“You’ve got an HBCU right there and a community with many elderly residents,” Linder emphasized.
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the Northwest Jacksonville community along Kings Road is considered low income and a food desert. The USDA defines a food desert in urban areas as a community where at least 500 people live more than a mile from a full-service grocery store.
Linder says the lack of nearby grocery options creates daily hardships for residents who must rely on buses or ride-share services to buy food.
“You have to hop on a bus. You have to carry your groceries with you, or if you have money, you can get an Uber, but you still have to pay to get back,” she said. “That’s not everyone’s situation where they can necessarily spend like that.”
After learning about the Popeyes closure, Linder took her concerns to social media. A Facebook post she shared Jan. 24 received dozens of comments from people who said they have noticed the same struggles in the area.
“I just feel like if we don’t say anything, it can only get worse,” Linder said.
She has since reached out to city leaders, including multiple council members, to help organize a community meeting for residents. Linder also contacted Edward Waters University administrators, who responded by thanking her for her advocacy and saying they would be willing to participate in a future community meeting.
For Linder, the message is simple, access to healthy food shouldn’t depend on where you live.
“Let’s do something let’s take action and I feel like if we just sit along the sidelines and complain nothing will ever get done or if we just sit back and talk about it nothing will ever change so when are we actually going to talk about it and take action,” she said.
First Coast News reached out to Popeyes to ask why the Kings Road location closed and is still waiting for a response. Online records show the company has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy.
Linder says she has also contacted Jacksonville City Councilman Jimmy Peluso. First Coast News plans to meet with him Monday to discuss the issue and potential solutions. First Coast News will continue to follow the story as more information becomes available.
