FOOD DESERTS: WHAT

EVEN ARE THEY?

By: Kendall Marino

January 25, 2016

What does a food desert mean to you? Food

deserts are more common than you think. They are
located all around the world and impact people
worldwide. If you are surrounded by mostly fast food
and unhealthy food options, you are more than likely
living in food desert. By the end of this article, you will
be an expert on food deserts and what they are all
about.

What is the problem/ topic?

A food desert is when there isnt enough
healthy food options in an area. One study shows that
a food desert is classified by how far away, in miles, a
grocery store is from you. To classify and urban area,
the grocery store must be 1 mile away. To classify a
rural area, there has to be a 10 mile distance (FEP,
2016). This concludes that not just anywhere can be a food desert. According to another source, all of the little
grocery stores that are available, are low-quality and expensive (Brat, 2015). This reveals that even though
there is some options around, they arent the best and there isnt much to choose from. The combined
evidence helps us understand more in depth about food deserts
and what they are exactly.

What is causing the issue?

There are many complicated causes of food deserts.
One source shows that low income and poverty play a major
role in food deserts (Schulzke, 2012). This reveals that because
people dont have the money to spend in a food desert, they are
drawn to the unhealthy, fast food options that seem to be
cheapest at the time. According to a second source, the division
between social classes is another cause (Miller, 2010). This
suggests that the privileged have more money to spend on food
which is why they are granted healthier options in stores. On the
other hand, the less privileged dont have as much flexibility to
spend money on food. So, the grocery stores dont bother to be
located or built in low-income neighborhoods because they
know the people just dont have the money. The evidence
gathered shows that in areas considered to be food deserts,
low-income and higher poverty rates arent uncommon.

What are impacts to local or global

communities?
The impact to both global and local communities that food
deserts have are vast. According to one study, the world is being
impacted because nutrition is not being put as a top priority
(Schulzke, 2012). Food deserts are popping up all around the
world, which is a brand new occurrence that is raising a lot of
concern. In addition, the global obesity rate is rising due to the
many food deserts that are being created. Eating unhealthy food is
becoming the norm and is easier to access than ever.
Food deserts are impacting local communities by dividing up
social classes even more than they already are (Miller, 2010). Food
choices are directly linked to social class because food deserts are
in low-income areas while the grocery stores are in higher income areas. A prime example of a food desert
impacting s local community is in Southeastern San Diego (Price, 2015). When geographers went to
investigate the area, they saw your typical food desert with convenience stores stocked with nothing but junk
food and liquor. But, they also discovered some small, locally-ran shops stocked with fresh produce. This
would classify San Diego more as food swamp, but nevertheless it is still a problem. In conclusion, one can
see that food deserts can have tremendous impacts locally or worldwide.

What are impacts to personal health?

Food deserts have a huge impact on personal health and nutrition. One study shows that because
people are surrounded by unhealthy food options, they are more likely to develop health issues at any age
(FEP, 2016). The health issues that can be developed are high blood pressure, obesity, type 2 diabetes,
cardiovascular diseases, and other diet related issues. According to a second source, a term known as
poverty-obesity is when people have to purchase unhealthy foods, which causes them to be undernourished
and obese because it is all they can afford (Schulzke, 2012). This also suggests that when people use food
stamps, which is most who live in food deserts, they are only given the options of unhealthy, cheap foods. The
impact food deserts have on personal health is an alarming reality that needs to be changed.

What are current solutions?

There are places all over the U.S. that are taking
steps to eliminate food deserts. In Philadelphia, a menu
labeling law was passed and soda has been banned from
schools. Also, nutrition education programs are offered and
grocery stores in low-income neighborhoods are being
opened (Brat, 2015). This shows that food deserts are being
recognized and the public are taking the necessary steps to
stop them from forming further. Also, another source
suggests that programs like The Health Buck should
become more common (Ploeg, 2010). This program offers
people $2 coupons, for example, to help them buy fresh
produce for less money in participating stores. The struggle
to get rid of food deserts is still present, but if we keep
fighting, we can stop them for good.

What are new solutions?

There is a broad range of new solutions that could be put into motion to eliminate food deserts. One
new solutions could be to help locals to start eating healthier and making healthier food choices through
cooking demonstrations in front of or inside the small shops that do sell healthy produce. Also, food education
could eliminate food deserts because once people know about the unhealthy foods they are eating and how it
affects them, they will most likely demand for healthier options. To eliminate food deserts, communities could
bring in more fresh produce markets that could benefit the whole neighborhood. Also, have training programs
for people who want to open their own shop or business to help the community. Lastly, bring back local
growing and farming. Local organizations could help lead growers groups, community gardens, and a weekly
farmers market.

Final Remarks
There is a lot that a food desert can impact or have an effect on directly or indirectly. But, by
recognizing what food deserts are and what it is exactly that the effect helps eliminating and getting rid of them
much easier. Food deserts can be terminated if you, I, and the world work together as one to stop them once
and for all. So, what will you do to stop food deserts?

Reference
Brat, I. (2015). Do Food Deserts Cause Unhealthy Eating? Retrieved From
http://www.wsj.com/articles/do-food-deserts-cause-unhealthy-eating-1436757037

Description of a food desert and what it does. Retrieved From

http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/Advocate/VoicesforHealthyKids/Food-DesertsInfographic_UCM_475874_SubHomePage.jsp

FEP. (2016). Food Deserts. Retrieved From

https://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.foodispower.org%2Ffood-deserts%2F

Miller, L. (2010, Nov 29). Divided we eat. Newsweek, , n.p. Retrieved from
http://sks.sirs.com

Ploeg, M. V. (2010). Access to Affordable, Nutritious Food Is Limited in Food Deserts Retrieved From
http://www.ers.usda.gov/amber-waves/2010-march/access-to-affordable,-nutritious-food-is-limited-in-%E2%80%9Cfooddeserts%E2%80%9D.aspx#.VowZtGPleSo

Price, M. (2015). Is Southeastern San Diego's "Food Desert" a Mirage? Retrieved From
http://newscenter.sdsu.edu/sdsu_newscenter/news_story.aspx?sid=74890

Political cartoon depicting the irony of food deserts. Retrieved From

http://www.makeyoursoulshine.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/food_desert_.jpg

Schulzke, E. (2012). Obese, Hungry and Undernourished: The New Face of Food Insecurity Retrieved From
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Solutions to food deserts through the community, empowerment, and access. Retrieved From
http://brownisthenewpink.com/2014/05/27/food-deserts-and-swamps-social-justice-issue/

Statistic of 2000s unemployment rates and poverty in a food deserts compared to a non-food desert. Retrieved From
http://www.ers.usda.gov/media/1040596/mar13_feature_dutko_fig03.png