Food Deserts in America

Breanna Warren

Brendan Valentine

Introduction

A food desert is a term used to describe

neighborhoods that are usually low-income where
healthy food is not very accessible1. They most
commonly occur in urban or rural communities1.
These communities are not in close proximity to
major grocery or super stores, and purchasing fresh
fruits and vegetables is difficult or they may not be
available1.
With rural food deserts, residents have to travel a
far distance to get to the nearest grocers1. Childhood
obesity rates seem to be more prominent among
youth who live in rural areas in the US as well. With
urban food deserts fresh food is not in close
proximity either and there are more convenient and
fast food retailers in the community1. This can
contribute to obesity rates as people have to rely on
the high calorie, low nutrient-dense foods that are
available in their neighborhood1.

Qualtrics Survey

An online survey was shared on Facebook in the

month of November 2015. Twenty-nine people
responded to the survey. Questions about their
community, proximity to fresh fruits and vegetables,
Urban
Suburban
participation in
food assistance
programs,Rural
and what
Foodmode of 50.0%
their
transportation14.3%
were asked. 25.0%
This survey
Assistance
was
used to look at the barriers people face when
Participati
trying
to lead healthy lifestyles in various
on
communities.
Access to
62.5%
92.9%
87.5%
Personal
Vehicle
Average
Distance
willing to
travel for
food

9.3 miles

12.3 miles

18 miles

Programs &
Program
Pros
Interventions

Summary
Cons

Head Start

Constant contact with

individuals more likely
to be food insecure2

Not part of the

traditional nutrition
safety net2

School Lunch

Effective at promoting
dietary intake3

No control over types

of foods eaten
No statistics on BMI3

Corner Store

Positive correlation with

availability of fruits and
vegetables and
availability in these
establishments in some
studies4

Intake for these food

groups still lower in
families that utilize
these establishments
over families that use a
supermarket4

Farmers Market

More markers of a
healthy diet5

Not more food secure5

WIC

Effective at minimizing
food insecurity for
women and children
under five5

Does not increase fruit

and vegetable intake
other than carrots5

It was found that a combination of programs

working together is needed in order to achieve
the best results, because the programs tend to
be insufficient on their own.
Some programs were more beneficial at
increasing food security than they were at food
quality5. Barriers differ depending upon the
location of the food desert, whether it be rural,
suburban, or urban.
Increasing access to healthy food is not enough
without the inclusion of education.
For those using SNAP benefits, proximity may not
be a barrier of their food choices7.
The availability of supermarkets supplying
healthy food alternatives is less in non-white,
low-income communities8.

Clinical Applications

Survey & Research

Findings

Survey Findings
There was a higher percentage of participants who
used food assistance and lived in an urban area than
in suburban or rural.
The number of participants who owned a personal
vehicle was higher for those who lived in suburban
areas than urban or rural.
Participants who lived in a rural area were willing to
travel the farthest to purchase groceries.
Research Findings
A decrease in food security was correlated with a
decrease in the intake of fruits and vegetables6.
Programs that were not intended to be apart of food
assistance are have had an impact on food deserts2.
Despite their proximity, SNAP participants mainly
7

Understand the obstacles residents who live in

food deserts face when trying to achieve a
healthier diet.
Know what programs or solutions are available
that may benefit client.
Know where food deserts are likely to occur so
that you can better understand the community
you serve.
Understand that living in a food desert may be
an environmental factor that may influence
childhood obesity.
Know tips that may help low-income families
living rural food deserts:
Utilize large freezers
Shop sales and use coupons
Visit food banks1
Be aware of interventions that may help improve
the availability of fresh fruits and vegetables,
such as those offered by head start, school
lunch, corner store, farmers market, and WIC
programs.