Immokalee’s Only Grocery Store Shuts Down: County Sets Up Free Bus Rides to Nearby Stores

The Winn-Dixie on Lake Trafford Road will close on Oct. 26, stripping Immokalee's 25,000 residents of their main food source.

"This is our only grocery store. It's the only one that we have that has a bakery, a deli, seafood counter, a meat counter," Carmen Hickman said, per Fox 4 News.

With the next store sitting 10 miles away in Ave Maria, Collier County stepped in. They've launched a free bus service to help shoppers reach markets in nearby areas.

County Commissioner Bill McDaniel acted swiftly to tackle transport issues. "We worked out a plan to run additional bus routes from the parking lot of Winn-Dixie," McDaniel said.

Buses will make two daily trips to Publix locations in Ave Maria and Randall. Officials promise to maintain this service through next year while the building transforms.

The shutdown strikes at the heart of Immokalee, where many residents walk or bike to gather supplies. These residents must now turn to small shops that charge steep prices for basic necessities.

"The Winn-Dixie has been around forever for us, since I was a kid... now, people are going to be forced to go to the smaller stores that cost more money," Maria Salinas said.

The space won't stay empty long — Southeastern Grocers plans to convert it into an Aldi. Yet the opening date remains unclear, leaving locals in limbo.

"Aldi is going to be a great option for some people, but not for everyone," Salinas added, expressing doubt about the timeline ahead.