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Ashley Linder is urging Jacksonville’s city officials to tackle the escalating issue of food deserts in her community, following the closure of a local Popeyes, which has highlighted the limited access to nutritious food options.
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — A lifelong resident of Jacksonville is pressing city authorities to confront what she describes as a persistent food desert along Kings Road. This plea comes in the wake of another business shutting its doors, further reducing the already scarce food choices available to locals.
Ashley Linder, who has spent her entire life in Jacksonville’s Northside, has witnessed a gradual disappearance of businesses from her neighborhood. The latest closure of the Popeyes restaurant near Edward Waters University, which shut down permanently on January 19, adds to this trend.
“Every time I pass by, it’s another store closing or another business shutting down,” Linder remarked.
As a result of the Popeyes closure, Linder notes that the community is now left with only a Dollar General and a Checkers restaurant within walking distance. She highlights the area as a food desert, posing significant difficulties for elderly residents and students at Edward Waters University, many of whom lack access to reliable transportation.
“You have an HBCU there. You have a community where it’s a lot of elderly people here,” Linder said.
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.
Edward Waters University sent First Coast News this statement on Monday:
“Edward Waters University is experiencing significant enrollment growth — the highest we have seen in more than twenty years. That momentum reflects the confidence students and families have in our academic programs, campus investments, and long-term trajectory.
“However, sustainable growth for any urban institution is directly connected to the strength of the surrounding community infrastructure. Access to affordable, healthy food options is a critical component of that infrastructure. While the University provides on-campus dining services and student support resources, the broader neighborhood food environment affects not only our students, but also our faculty, staff, and residents who live and work nearby.
“If we are serious about continued revitalization, economic development, and student success, food access must be part of the conversation. This is not solely a university issue — nor solely a city issue. It requires coordinated public–private partnership.
“We believe there is an opportunity for the business community, city leadership, and anchor institutions to work collaboratively to incentivize responsible grocery development, improve retail access, and strengthen the economic viability of the area. Smart policy tools, thoughtful incentives, and shared investment can produce sustainable outcomes.
“Edward Waters University stands ready to be a constructive partner in solutions that support our students while also benefiting the broader Northwest Jacksonville community. Growth is happening. With the right collaboration, it can accelerate.”
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.