Take a second and think about the nearest grocery store to you. Can you walk there? Do you drive to the grocery store? Is there fresh produce and foods available there? Are they affordable to you? For me, the answer is yes; there is a grocery store less than half a mile away from me. I’m also able to drive farther, to get fresh food at a more affordable grocery store. Chances are you have access to fresh food quickly and affordably, but millions of Americans do not have this privilege. Food deserts are areas in the United States where citizens do not have accessible supermarkets near them. These areas are typically in Black and brown communities and low-income areas, where people may not have stable access to cars. 

According to the USDA, more than 22 million Americans live in low-income areas more than a mile away from a supermarket, leading to food insecurity. In many cases, the only food available is fast food or corner stores where typically only ‘junk’ foods are available, and fresh food is priced very high. This is particularly pervasive in large cities such as New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago, where predominantly Black and brown communities are left without supermarkets. These food deserts are a form of environmental racism, forcing predominantly POC communities into consuming fast or unhealthy foods, leading to health issues such as obesity, diabetes, and heart disease. To access fresh foods, people must travel farther, requiring time many people don’t have or pay high prices in neighborhood stores. 

These food deserts also occur in rural areas where grocery stores may be very far from citizens, which is particularly difficult for Indigenous Americans. Many Indigenous peoples were forced onto reservations by the government, away from the lands they cultivated for centuries. Without those lands, many Indigenous Americans have no access to lands to cultivate and face high food prices, high poverty rates, and high rates of food-related health problems. Because of these issues, 1 in 4 Indigenous Americans is food insecure (Northern Plain Reservations Aid). Food deserts are a form of oppression against Black, Indigenous, and other people of color, particularly in urban communities, low-income communities, and reservations. It causes many health problems and takes valuable money and time from people. 

One way to solve this problem is through awareness. The government is not providing for these communities enough, and raising awareness can help. Another great way to help solve this issue is through Community gardens. Community gardens are small gardens that can be built on empty lots in urban areas and provide fresh produce for a community. They also empower people to grow their own food, improve health, build community, and help improve the environment! To get involved, you can find a community garden near you here:

Recap 

• Food Deserts are areas in the United States where citizens do not have accessible grocery stores near them. These areas are typically in Black and brown communities and low-income areas, where citizens may not have stable access to cars. 
• According to the USDA, more than 22 million Americans live in low-income areas more than a mile away from a supermarket, leading to food insecurity. In many cases, the only food available is fast food or corner stores where typically only ‘junk’ foods are available, or fresh food is priced very high. 
• This is particularly pervasive in large cities such as New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago, where predominantly Black and brown communities are left without supermarkets. In Indigenous American communities where 1 in 4 people are food insecure. 

One way to combat this is through community gardens! They are small gardens that can be built anywhere and provide food to the community. This fights food insecurity, promotes healthy nutrition, builds community, and empowers people to grow their own food! Learn more about community gardens in Lethan’s article below.

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