Food Deserts 101: America’s Hidden Deserts

What are food deserts 

When you were a kid how did your family buy groceries? For me the answer was we’d drive to the local grocery store. Many of you reading this may remember similar experiences. However for millions of Americans living in food deserts this couldn’t be further from their reality. How do you drive to the grocery store when you have no car? How do you walk when the nearest grocery store is miles away? For many in low income areas both urban and rural these dilemmas are a daily consideration. 

These regions are known as food deserts. Food deserts are defined by their lack of access to a variety of affordable and healthy food. There are thousands of suchs areas across America both urban and rural and they’re generally low income. What this all means is that for many in America the simple act of getting sustenance is a significant challenge. Healthy food is hidden behind high price tags and distant locations. The only remaining options are things like convenience stores often devoid of any produce.

These food deserts have significant impacts on the diets of people who live in them. With increased risk of obesity and cardiovascular diseases food deserts represent a growing health crisis. It is important to note as well that this is a public health crisis that much like COVID-19 disproportionately affects poor Americans and understand that there is an intersection between these crises. Between lockdowns and economic downturns the size and effects of food deserts are growing rapidly.

Why do food deserts exist

At this point it’s important to consider how and why food deserts form. While low income levels and widespread lack of transportation are at the core of food deserts they are not the only reason for their existence. It is important to consider the actions of businesses themselves. From chains avoiding low profits in low income areas in urban food deserts to chains pricing out local grocers in rural food deserts. Low income communities have a third as many grocery stores and supermarkets as higher income communities. This pattern of neglect is at the core of food deserts and associated issues. That idea that it is simply unprofitable to serve healthy foods to these communities is the driving economic factor behind food deserts. 

The bitter part is that it isn’t particularly untrue. There is less money to be made in low income communities. However that should not be the end of the story. The effects of food deserts are far ranging and long running. When cheap, nutritious food is unavailable, expensive or unhealthy food replaces it. This creates a cycle of worsening physical health and economic limitations. All of which contributes to cyclic poverty and worsens the impact of food deserts. This isn’t to say that there aren’t solutions but rather direct action and innovation are needed to combat these problems.

How do we solve food deserts 

In truth there are a number of different approaches and methods for dealing with food deserts. From governmental based incentives to NGOs to community gardening. However I want to highlight one specific example from Washington DCs 7th ward. In an area where 80% of residents travel to neighboring areas to purchase food a new food hall is being constructed. The Benning Market and the Market 7 project as a whole is an attempt to bring food to an underserved ward as well as provide a space for a number of local small businesses. Inside will be several food stores as well as a community grocer and an eating space. This Black-owned project is part of a broader plan to revitalize the neighborhood while benefiting the community and residents. 

It is a small scale example full of exciting possibilities and new ideas. It is easy to imagine the benefits of such a space that allows for local businesses to provide much needed services to the community. Needless to say I am excited to see how projects like this impact the communities they’re in. However, this is not and can not be the extent of our efforts to reduce the impact of food deserts. We need to find innovative new ways to combat such deeply ingrained problems. As the unemployment rate rises and millions are approaching food insecurity in America we must be proactive and vigilant about giving people a means to healthy and affordable food.

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