ALDI to open in Immokalee, ending nearly a year without a major grocery store

Immokalee residents will no longer have to drive long distances to buy groceries as ALDI prepares to open next week, replacing the Winn-Dixie that closed last October on Lake Trafford Road and State Road 29. Since the closure, residents have struggled to find convenient and affordable grocery options. "We would have to go to Fort Myers or even Lehigh or a Publix in Ave Maria," said Immokalee resident Rosenie St. Louis. "You know, Publix is a bit expensive and out the way." Shayla Estrada, another resident, described the difficulty of traveling for groceries. "We have to go ahead and get groceries all the way in Lehigh or Fort Myers or Naples, driving over an hour sometimes," she said. The loss of Winn-Dixie left Immokalee as a food desert, with limited access to diverse and affordable food options. Tom Felke, a professor of social work at Florida Gulf Coast University, explained the impact. "You're losing access to the ability to obtain types of foods that may not be available at grocery stores, especially smaller kind of mom-and-pop grocery stores," he said. Residents also noted price increases at local mini marts during this time. "Like a can just of pinto beans, the price went up to, like, probably $3 to, like, $4.50, like almost $5 just for a small can," Estrada said. Catholic Charities stepped in to assist communities who were hesitant to use public transportation to reach the nearest grocery store in Ave Maria. "We had a surge of the amount of clients that we saw at our pantry daily," said Peggy Rodriguez of Catholic Charities Diocese of Venice. "So, we saw a rise in numbers." The opening of ALDI is bringing relief to residents like St. Louis. "I'm actually happy. I can't wait," she said. "ALDI has great produce. I love it, and I am actually waiting to buy my probiotic juice." Estrada also expressed excitement but noted there are still unmet needs. "I feel like it's definitely great that we have a grocery store, but we're still lacking like a deli, bakery, just more stuff," she said. ALDI will hold a soft opening next Wednesday, followed by a grand opening on Thursday. DOWNLOAD the free Gulf Coast News app for your latest news and alerts on breaking news, weather, sports, entertainment, and more on your phone or tablet. And check out the Very Local Gulf Coast app to stream news, entertainment and original programming on your TV.