Almost 17.6 million U.S. residents continue to struggle with food deserts, lacking access to nutritious and fresh produce.
In the heart of Chicago, the Fresh Moves Mobile Market recently served its 10,000th customer, a testament to its mission of bringing fresh food to areas with no access [1]. This urban farming program focuses on underserved communities, addressing a significant issue faced by many parts of the United States: food deserts.
Food deserts, often referred to as Low-income, Low-access (LILA) areas, are predominantly found in low-income, poverty-stricken, or racially diverse neighborhoods [2]. These areas face a combination of economic barriers, geographic isolation, and infrastructure limitations that restrict access to affordable, healthy food [3].
The analysis by The Reinvestment Fund has shown improvement in food access in most states, including those with significant population growth like Florida and Arizona [1]. However, the number of people living in LILA areas decreased by 3.1 million from 2010 to 2016, representing a decrease from 6.8 percent in 2010 to 5.6 percent in 2016 [2].
Supermarkets often avoid low-income neighborhoods due to perceived financial risks or low demand, leading to fewer stores offering healthy food options [2]. Rural residents may live far from grocery stores, creating "low-access" conditions where transportation options are limited and trips to stores are burdensome [1][2]. Poor public transportation and lack of food distribution infrastructure exacerbate these access gaps in both rural and economically disadvantaged urban areas [1][2].
The rural paradox is a common occurrence, with food deserts found even in agriculturally rich rural regions where food is grown nearby [3]. Measurement terms have also evolved, with the USDA shifting from the term "food desert" to "low-income, low-access" (LILA) to better capture these overlapping economic and geographic barriers [1].
The consequences of living in a food desert are far-reaching. Residents are often trapped in cycles of limited nutritious food consumption, contributing to health disparities such as obesity and chronic diseases [2]. In contrast, communities with good access to healthy food have shown a reduced incidence of diabetes [4].
Food access also impacts other health conditions, such as cardiovascular disease and some types of cancer [5]. Even though other retailers like drug stores, corner stores, and clubs such as Costco and Sam's Club sell fresh food, health experts note that food prices at grocery stores are generally lower [6].
Some communities address food access through grassroots efforts like mobile grocery stores, community gardens, and farmers markets [7]. In the past eight to 10 years, drug stores like Walgreens have started stocking limited grocery items to combat food deserts, referred to as "food oasis" [8].
However, the United States still faces challenges in providing healthy food to its population [9]. Progress in food access isn't consistent across the country, with some areas showing less improvement [9]. Retailers typically avoid locating stores in low-income or rural areas due to lack of demand and other factors [10]. Large clubs like Costco and Sam's Club typically require membership fees, which can be a barrier for some families [10].
The Reinvestment Fund's LSA analysis directs government assistance to underserved communities to bring grocery stores and healthy food retailers [11]. The Fresh Moves Mobile Market serves health and senior centers, schools, and other locations on Chicago's South and West Sides weekly [1].
In conclusion, while progress has been made in improving food access, the United States continues to grapple with the issue, particularly in low-income and rural areas. Grassroots efforts and government initiatives are essential in addressing this challenge and ensuring that all communities have access to fresh, nutritious food.
References: [1] Fresh Moves Mobile Market. (2018). Fresh Moves Mobile Market serves 10,000th customer. Retrieved from https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-met-fresh-moves-mobile-market-10000-customer-20180828-story.html [2] The Reinvestment Fund. (2018). The State of the Nation's Cities: Food Access. Retrieved from https://www.trfund.org/our-work/food/state-of-the-nations-cities-food-access [3] National Research Council. (2009). Addressing Food Deserts: A Comprehensive Policy Approach to Improve Access to Healthy Food in Low-Income Urban Neighborhoods and Rural Areas. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. [4] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2017). Diabetes and Diabetes-Related Health Outcomes in the United States. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/data/statistics-surveillance/index.html [5] American Heart Association. (2018). Food Access and Health Disparities. Retrieved from https://www.heart.org/en/healthy-living/healthy-eating/eat-smart/food-access-and-health-disparities [6] The Reinvestment Fund. (2018). The State of the Nation's Cities: Food Access. Retrieved from https://www.trfund.org/our-work/food/state-of-the-nations-cities-food-access [7] National Farmers Market Directory. (2021). Retrieved from https://www.farmersmarket.com/ [8] Walgreens. (2021). Fresh Food at Walgreens. Retrieved from https://www.walgreens.com/topic/fresh-food [9] The Reinvestment Fund. (2018). The State of the Nation's Cities: Food Access. Retrieved from https://www.trfund.org/our-work/food/state-of-the-nations-cities-food-access [10] The Reinvestment Fund. (2018). The State of the Nation's Cities: Food Access. Retrieved from https://www.trfund.org/our-work/food/state-of-the-nations-cities-food-access [11] The Reinvestment Fund. (2018). The State of the Nation's Cities: Food Access. Retrieved from https://www.trfund.org/our-work/food/state-of-the-nations-cities-food-access
- The Fresh Moves Mobile Market in Chicago serves as a model for bringing healthy food into areas known as food deserts, which are predominantly found in low-income, poverty-stricken, or racially diverse neighborhoods.
- Food deserts, also referred to as Low-income, Low-access (LILA) areas, are characterized by economic barriers, geographic isolation, and infrastructure limitations that restrict access to affordable, healthy food.
- In contrast to communities with good access to healthy food, residents of food deserts often experience health disparities such as obesity and chronic diseases due to limited nutritious food consumption.
- Some grassroots efforts aimed at addressing food deserts include mobile grocery stores, community gardens, and farmers markets.
- Government initiatives, such as The Reinvestment Fund's LSA analysis, direct assistance to underserved communities to bring grocery stores and healthy food retailers to these areas.
- Progress in improving food access isn't consistent across the United States, with some areas showing less improvement, particularly in low-income and rural regions.
- Retailers often avoid locating stores in low-income or rural areas due to a lack of demand, limited transportation options, and poor food distribution infrastructure.
- Kitchens and cooking classes that promote healthy eating, such as those focusing on healthy diets and healthy cooking, play an important role in educating communities on nutritious food choices and lifestyle changes, which can help reduce the effects of food deserts on public health.
