Father-Son Duo Turn Food Desert into Community Grocery Store Powered by Faith
One of the most powerful things that makes America a great country is the freedom to dream big dreams and then chase after them to make them happen. The American dream is just a bit different for each person. But when that dream can somehow improve the quality of life for others, that's often where a sense of meaningfulness and fulfillment in life are found.
For Esron Palmer, getting through college and getting his degree in Business Management was likely something of a dream. But taking that knowledge and improving the quality of life of an entire community may very well be where meaningfulness and fulfillment have been found for him and his father, Michael.
Building a Food Oasis in a Food Desert
The two live in an area of Norfolk, Virginia that was considered a food desert. Basically, that meant that there weren't any grocery stores within a reasonable radius that offered fresh fruits and vegetables and meats. The only options to purchase food for many were convenience stores that offered processed and unhealthy foods.
Michael suggested the idea of building a local grocery store to Esron shortly after he graduated, and Esron decided to run with it. Michael has a background as a seasoned entrepreneur with decades of experience in the food industry, according to the E. Palmer Supermarket store website. So the two teamed up, created a 5-year business plan, applied for a grant with the city of Norfolk, where they live, and received a $500,000 grant to build the store, according to WTKR.
A Diverse Customer Base
The area where they built the store is very diverse in terms of their customer base. So the store includes international isles with food products that cater to those who enjoy African cuisine, Hispanic products, Jamaican products, Caribbean products, and more, Esron told WAVY.
"We try to keep up with our produce as best as we can, getting the freshest produce possible at the good price for our customers," Esron told CBN. "We also offer to our EBT customers 50 percent off their fruits and vegetables anytime they shop."
The store also includes two restaurants. One is a sandwich and sub shop aimed at those who work in a nearby shipyard and like to come in and grab lunch. There's also the Soul Food Kitchen for those who want to have a sit-down dinner. In addition, the store serves a free breakfast to area seniors once per week.
Esron told CBN that due to the large amount of seniors in the area, there is a lot of walkup traffic to the store and they are committed to helping the community get the healthy food options they need through hard work and faith.
“Can’t do anything without Christ,” Esron explained. “Everything through God. He just helped us throughout the way, you know, keeping faith, making sure that we have everything that we need as far as the knowledge and the strength to continue.”
WATCH: Christian Grocer Makes a Difference by Creating an Oasis of Hope in Former Food Desert
Photo Credit: ©YouTube/CBN News
Originally published February 27, 2025.
