Who is Alfie Oakes? He’s a Florida farmer-slash-grocery store owner-slash MAGA Trump supporter who’s getting national attention − again.
Two days after Election Day 2024, federal and state law enforcement vehicles surrounded Oakes’ home in North Naples, Florida, and his business in Immokalee, Florida. Part grocery, part bakery, part butcher shop, part bar, Oakes’ $30 million Seed to Table is the clubhouse for a rising group of Make America Great Again Republicans as well as a magnet for area foodies attracted by organic broccoli and craft beer.
Before the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, residents of Lee County and Collier County, Florida, were familiar with the political firebrand that is Alfie Oakes. And at the time, he made headlines as an anti-vaxxer, for comments he made about George Floyd and Black Lives Matter and for filing an anti-mask lawsuit in his hometown. Oakes also arranged bus trips to the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, for the Insurrection − or what he called “the most peaceful beautiful demonstration from well over one million people that I’ve ever witnessed,” according to the Naples Daily News, a USA TODAY Network newspaper.
As of Friday, Nov. 8, a day after state and federal law enforcement visited Oakes’ home and business, the reasons remain unknown. However, when reached by phone, Oakes declined to comment to the Naples Daily News, other than saying, “We’re looking into it, but everything’s good.”
On Thursday, Nov. 7, many Florida Highway Patrol vehicles were spotted at the house and business, according to WINK News, but Florida Highway Patrol directed questions to the U.S. Secret Service.
The Secret Service declined to comment.
“The U.S. Secret Service will not confirm the existence or the status of an investigation,” the agency said via email.
Oakes Farm troubles?Alfie Oakes faces potential property seizure by Farm Credit after foreclosing on $4.5 million loans
Alfie Oakes described as ‘our mini-Trump’ and ‘MAGA Grocery King of Southwest Florida’
David Silverberg, a political pundit in Naples, Florida, and former managing editor of The Hill, described Alfie Oakes as “our mini-Trump,” labeling him “the MAGA Grocery King of Southwest Florida” in a 2022 Mother Jones story.
Who is Alfie Oakes? What to know
- Most recently, in Collier County, the farmer and grocery store owner held a hurricane party at Seed to Table ahead of Hurricane Milton’s landfall, offering hurricane specials on food and drink. He told the Naples Daily News that “the energy was amazing. We had one of the busiest food and bar sales nights we’ve ever had in the history of Seed to Table. It was unbelievable.”
- Alfie Oakes owns Oakes Farms, one of the biggest agribusinesses in South Florida, which started when its namesake was a 15-year-old selling watermelons from the back of a pickup. Oakes Farms has grown into a 3,500-employee business that ranges from supplying military cafeterias to selling linen sundresses.
- Though Alfie Oakes hasn’t run for a government position, he holds elected office as Collier County’s Republican State Committeeman.
Click here to read a detailed Naples Daily News profile on Alfie Oakes.
(This story was updated to include new information: A photo gallery was added.)
