Aunt Rhonda Tackles Food Deserts in Syracuse

Imagine your neighborhood grocery store closing its doors, leaving you miles away from fresh produce and healthy food options. This is the reality for many communities, but in Syracuse, New York, one determined woman, affectionately known as ‘Aunt Rhonda,’ decided enough was enough. Her story is a powerful testament to how community leadership can transform a struggling neighborhood.

From Finance to Food Access: Aunt Rhonda’s Mission

Rhonda Vesey, or ‘Aunt Rhonda’ as she’s known, is not your typical community organizer. With a background in corporate finance, she left her career in 2020 to tackle a critical issue: the food desert plaguing the Valley neighborhood of Syracuse. After Tops Friendly Markets, the last local grocery store, shut down in 2018, residents were left with limited options, often requiring long trips for basic necessities.

Vesey channeled her energy into founding Food Access Healthy Neighborhoods Now (FAHNN). This local organization, powered by volunteers, aims to bridge the gap by providing fresh food through initiatives like farmers’ markets in underserved areas. Her personal journey through grief, following her mother’s passing, became a driving force for her activism, as she found purpose and resilience in her mission.

A Grassroots Campaign for a Grocery Store

Vesey’s dedication was unwavering. She spent five years tirelessly reaching out to potential partners, leveraging her extensive network. This included contacting grocery store operators across the Northeast, engaging with local, state, and federal officials, and even connecting with developers like Carl Paladino of Ellicott Development.

Her persistence paid off. In collaboration with A.K. Kaid, a grocery entrepreneur from Buffalo, Vesey spearheaded a successful grassroots campaign. This effort led to the opening of the Super Imperial Market in May 2025, replacing the departed Tops. The new market offers a wide array of fresh produce, meats, prepared foods, and essential grocery items, breathing new life into the community.

Addressing a Widespread Problem

The challenge of food deserts isn’t unique to Syracuse. Many American cities, particularly those with significant Black and Hispanic populations, struggle with limited access to fresh food. This often creates barriers for low-income residents who may lack reliable transportation, making it difficult to access healthier options.

Cities like Muncie, Indiana, face similar issues, with a large percentage of residents living in areas classified as food deserts. Becca Clawson, CEO of Second Harvest Food Bank, highlighted the high rates of food insecurity in the region. It’s in these challenging environments that the efforts of individuals like ‘Aunt Rhonda’ become even more crucial.

We don’t want to see a store leave us again. It can’t happen. — Rhonda Vesey (‘Aunt Rhonda’)

The Impact of Community Champions

Rhonda Vesey’s journey from finance professional to community champion demonstrates the power of dedicated leadership. Her work not only addresses a critical need for fresh food but also serves as an inspiration, proving that with passion and perseverance, individuals can create tangible change in their own neighborhoods. The Super Imperial Market stands as a symbol of hope and a vital resource for the Syracuse community.