Approximately 19 million Americans reside in areas with limited access to nutritious, affordable food, often referred to as food deserts.

Approximately 19 million Americans reside in areas with limited access to nutritious, affordable food, often referred to as food deserts.

Living in a Food Wasteland: Understanding Food Deserts and Their Impacts

Let's talk about the harsh reality of eating healthy when it's not an option for everyone. We spew so much about eating our greens, cutting down on sugars, and ditching processed foods. But what if these choices are out of reach for millions of Americans? Yep, you guessed it - a food desert.

Obesity is on the rise in the U.S., and it's no secret that it boosts the risk of heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, and certain cancers[1]. Sure, personal habits matter, but so does access to nutritious grub - or the lack of it.

Millions of British citizens reside in food deserts - neighborhoods where finding affordable, fresh, minimally processed, healthy food is tough, if not impossible. For many, eating wholesome, nutritious food feels more like a luxury than a basic right[2].

In this guide, Hers digs deep into the murky waters of food deserts, revealing the causes, effects, and possible solutions[2]. So buckle up!

What is a Food Desert?

A food desert isn't a barren wasteland; it's simply lacking the essential ingredient: reliable, affordable access to healthy food[2][3]. The term started popping up in the 80s as researchers examined the connection between food inequality and a place's structure[4].

The U.S. Department of Agriculture defines these communities as "low-income, low-access"[2]. Here's the breakdown:

• Low-income: A poverty rate of 20% or more, or a median family income at or below 80% of the area's average.
• Low-access: Over 500 people or more than 33% of residents living a mile or more from a supermarket (urban) or 10 miles (rural) without a full-service grocery store[1].

In simple terms, if a supercenter, supermarket, or large grocery store is missing from your neighborhood, you're living in a food desert[2]. Add a lack of transportation, and eating real, nutritious food becomes a daunting task.

Where are Food Deserts Most Common?

In 2008, Congress asked the USDA to suss out the nation's food desert hotspots. The research showed these areas are concentrated in low-income neighborhoods, disproportionately impacting Black and Hispanic communities[1]. This harmful cycle is the product of urban planning, economic shifts, and systemic barriers, not geography[1].

Research on Areas with Limited Access to Nutritious Foods

To bring food deserts into sharper focus, let's examine Hartford, Connecticut[4]. You'll find supermarkets and farmers' markets there, but they're mainly in wealthier, whiter neighborhoods. High-income areas are becoming rarer in Hartford's low-income, predominantly Black neighborhoods. This is a prime example of supermarket redlining[4][5]. Between 1968 and 1984, 11 out of 13 chain supermarkets dipped out of Hartford, causing an 85% drop in less than two decades[4].

The Divide between Food Apartheid, Food Insecurity, and Food Swamps

Now that we understand food deserts, let's run through some other terms you might've heard floating around in food-equality discussions:

1. Food Apartheid: Food and racial justice activists use this term to emphasize the systems that establish and perpetuate disparities, whereas food deserts may seem natural or accidental[4].
2. Food Insecurity: A broader term for individuals or families who lack consistent, affordable access to nutritious food, due to factors such as cost, distance, or lack of availability[1].
3. Food Swamps: Neighborhoods with an oversupply of junk food, fast-food joints, dollar stores, and other spots selling sugar-heavy, processed goods. Studies have linked food swamps to higher rates of obesity and metabolic diseases[1].

The Health Implications of Food Deserts

Diet plays a significant role in obesity rates in the U.S[1]. Sadly, factors like social status and education level impact dietary habits, and food deserts intensify these disparities[1]. Without access to fresh, nutritious food or info about nutrition and health outcomes, people often turn to cheaper, less healthy options - which can lead to higher obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease rates[1].

But it gets worse: Many food desert communities are also pharmacy deserts, where access to necessary medications for chronic conditions is limited. This gives rise to a vicious cycle where the same destructive systems affect both diet and medication access[3].

Navigating Healthy Eating in a Food Desert

Living in a food desert may make healthy eating a challenge, but it's not impossible[2]. Here are some practical strategies to prioritize nutrition, no matter where you call home:

• Elevate Plant-Based Foods: Sub out fresh fruits and veggies (especially cheaper frozen or canned options) when these are hard to come by.
• Source Protein: Seek out protein-rich foods like canned tuna, eggs, or dry beans to keep you full longer and support muscle health.
• Minimize Processed Foods: Opt for less-processed options when possible, such as whole-grain bread or brown rice - or pick soda-free hydration like water to support weight management.
• Go Big on Bulk Buys: Buy in bulk when possible to stock up on pantry staples like dry beans, lentils, and oats.
• Get Creative with Convenience Stores: Even without a full grocery store, many corner shops stock affordable snacks and meal options like hard-boiled eggs, yogurt, or canned soups.
• Grow Your Own: If you have access to a community garden or space for containers on a balcony or windowsill, experiment with herbs and veggies. This can help reduce your reliance on processed food.
• Participate in Local Food Programs: Some initiatives accept SNAP benefits or offer sliding-scale options to access fresh produce at reasonable prices.
• Tap Local Food Banks and Pantries: Many food banks partner with farms and grocery stores to provide produce, dairy, and meat, or offer "healthy food boxes."

Alleviating the Impact of Food Deserts

If you're not living in a food desert but want to help, here's how you can contribute:

• Share Surplus Food: If you have extra food, donate it to shelters or food banks to ensure it reaches those who need it.
• Participate in Gleaning Programs: Some organizations collect leftover crops from farms and distribute them to those in need.
• Support Food Banks and Local Pantries: Donate food or volunteer to expand their efforts.
• Advocate for Policy Change: Support policies that address food insecurity by regulating zoning for grocery stores, investing in underserved areas, and upholding food justice initiatives.

Final Thoughts: Food Deserts - More Than Just Distance to a Grocery Store

Food deserts encompass much more than the distance to a grocery store: they're the result of systems that leave communities with fewer healthy, affordable food options. These areas disproportionately impact disadvantaged groups and low-income neighborhoods, causing ripples across health, education, and economic opportunity[1].

If you're living in a food desert, remember that healthy eating is still achievable. And, yes, fighting food inequality is a fight for justice and equity - a battle that needs your help[2].

Stay tuned as we delve deeper into policies, initiatives, and organizations working towards a fairer, healthier food system. In the meantime, don't hesitate to get involved and help create a world where everyone has access to nutritious food.

This story was produced by Hers and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.

Enrichment Data:The formation and persistence of food deserts can be attributed to socioeconomic disparities, racial and economic segregation, urban planning deficiencies, transportation barriers, and corporate food system priorities. Food deserts have adverse effects on public health, leading to poor dietary habits, increased prevalence of chronic diseases, and exacerbation of health disparities.[1][3][5]

[1] U.S. Department of Agriculture, Economic Research Service. (2021). Food Access Research Atlas. Retrieved April 3, 2022, from https://www.ers.usda.gov/data-products/food-access-research-atlas/

[2] Ullman, S. O., Demissie, Y., Borrelli, P. S., Lopez-Frias, N., & Pappas, M. G. (2021). Food deserts in the United States revisited: Simplifying the misclassification process. PloS one, 16(12), e0261476.

[3] Lee, A. L., Morrissey, J. P., Duncan, K., & Williams, D. R. (2010). Neighborhood disadvantage, access to food outlets, and dietary behavior among African American and non-Hispanic white women. American journal of public health, 100(8), 1457–1463.

[4] Nickerson, S., & Zevallos, K. (2008). Fresh fruits and vegetables in Hartford, Connecticut. Connecticut State Department of Public Health and Hartford Health Department.

[5] Cummins, S. A. (2015). Supermarket redlining revisited: Examination of racial and ethnic patterns in the closure of supermarkets in Hartford, Connecticut, 1975-2008. Urban distribution journal, 15(2), 19-31.

1. As the national discussion about food deserts continues, it's worth considering the connection between these areas and the rise of health-and-wellness issues like obesity and related diseases such as heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, and certain cancers.
2. While general news outlets often focus on the science of healthy cooking and the benefits of nutrition and fitness-and-exercise, it's essential to acknowledge that the ability to implement these lifestyle choices is not equally available to everyone, particularly those living in food deserts.
3. In the realm of policy-and-legislation and politics, initiatives focusing on combating food deserts and improving access to nutritious food could have far-reaching implications, not only for people's physical health but also for their overall lifestyle and well-being.
4. In our pursuit of a more equitable food system, understanding the impact of food deserts on communities isn't enough – cooking enthusiasts and fitness aficionados alike need to advocate for policies that drive healthy-cooking initiatives, encourage fair access to food-and-drink resources, and promote the availability of essential resources like supermarkets and farmers' markets in underserved areas.
5. As the fight against food deserts unfolds, it's crucial to recognize that this issue goes beyond the label of a food desert – it's a matter of social justice and equity, affecting not only the access to wholesome, nutritious food but also the overall health and well-being of individuals and communities.

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