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Island residents urge county action after temporary grocery store closures; commissioners hear calls for shuttles, deliveries and pop-up markets
Summary
Residents of Amelia Island urged the county on July 14 to act after the temporary closure of Publix and a Winn‑Dixie conversion, saying the changes create a local food‑access gap for seniors, people with disabilities and low‑income households.
Several Amelia Island residents urged Nassau County commissioners on July 14 to take interim steps to address reduced grocery access after a pair of temporary store closures and a change of ownership.
Nicole Cressy, who identified herself as living on First Avenue in Fernandina Beach, told the board the near‑simultaneous closure of Publix for an 18‑month remodel and the conversion of a Winn‑Dixie to an Aldi "will result in sustained and consistent closures of grocery stores in Fernandina Beach," she said, and warned the change will disproportionately affect elderly residents, people with disabilities, youth and lower‑income households. Cressy suggested county and city officials coordinate with retailers to explore reduced delivery fees, weekly grocery‑run transportation and use of existing community facilities with refrigerated storage.
Gail Kirsten delivered remarks on behalf of a resident who could not attend and reiterated concerns about access and price variability across remaining stores. Kirsten asked the county to contact large grocers to explore waiving annual delivery fees for affected residents during the store transitions.
Suzanne Sapp and Stacy Prelu also described the closures as creating a food‑access gap on the island, saying that Walmart and other nearby stores are not adequate substitutes for fresh produce and medicine needs for residents without reliable transportation. Prelu noted prior transit arrangements that provided grocery and medical trips were reduced to medical-only service in October and urged the county and city to expand transit or provide temporary grocery shuttles and pop‑up markets.
Speakers suggested possible interim actions: partner with supermarkets to waive or reduce online-delivery fees for affected residents; coordinate with the Council on Aging and JTA for assisted transportation; reinstate or expand Nassau Transit grocery trips; and arrange pop‑up produce trucks or mobile markets at community centers. Commissioners did not take formal action at the meeting; the comments were recorded in the public‑comment portion of the agenda.
