Food deserts are geographical areas where there is limited or no access to healthy food. Demographics are typically characterized as being low-income, minority populations. There are many ways to define a food desert area, as there are many aspects to be taken into account, such as: quality, cost, and nutritional value of food; distance to places of access; transportation available and type of access available, whether it be corner stores, grocery chains, farmers’ markets, gardens, or other. People who live in food desert areas are more at risk for health problems such as high blood pressure, obesity, diabetes, and heart disease as the most available food comes from “fringe suppliers” such as fast food chains and corner stores that have few, if any fresh produce available.
Grocery chains typically stay away from low income areas to avoid shrinking profit margins. Public policy may help with incentives to get groceries into these areas. Community efforts such as urban gardening and delivery programs may also help to alleviate some of the problems associated with food deserts.
For more information on food deserts, check out these resources:
Good Food: Examining the Impact of Food Deserts on Public Health in Chicago
Video from Time Magazine: Features Mari Gallagher, research of the project above
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