Food, and access to it, is a determinant of health and well-being. The USDA defines a food desert as, “parts of the country vapid of fresh fruit, vegetables and other healthy whole foods, usually found in impoverished areas” ("USDA Defines Food Deserts", 2011). Food deserts are often found in rural, minority, and low-income areas because they lack large, retail food markets and have a higher number of convenience stores, where healthy foods are less available. Families and individuals living in a geographic area where residents experience barriers to accessing healthy foods, including, both physical and economic obstacles can face greater risk for adverse health outcomes ("Access to Healthy Food and Why it Matters", 2013). The burden of food …show more content…
Statistics show that African-American populations are represented within urban food deserts at a rate of more than double that of non-food desert urban areas (Dutko, Pleg & Farrigan, 2012). Therefore, low-income communities with larger African-American populations are more likely to suffer from food inaccessibility, and insecurity. In addition to the absence of nearby supermarkets and large grocery stores, people living within urban food deserts are less likely to have access to a private vehicle, which is a significant factor in determining how easily one can access healthy foods (Dutko, Pleg & Farrigan, …show more content…
Solutions must be applied at the macro, mezzo, and micro levels. Policy initiatives, such as those developed by the Food Trust, Inc., which fund the development of brick-and-mortar grocery stores, cooking classes, and food education in communities, are a macro level approach (Everyone Deserves Access, 2012). Community gardens, farmer’s markets, and cooperative grocery stores are a great way to introduce healthy fresh food options into the neighborhood at a mezzo, or community level (Everyone Deserves Access, 2012 and Tsai et al, 2013). Farmer’s markets, especially ones that accept SNAP Benefits can be established in underserved neighborhoods (Everyone Deserves Access, 2012). In rural neighborhoods, mobile farmer’s markets, and food trucks can be helpful in eliminating the problem of lack of transportation (Tsai et al, 2013). Offering cooking classes, and gardening classes are a great way to engage individuals in the process of eliminating food deserts (Everyone Deserves Access, 2012). These solutions are a few ways to reduce the negative affects of food deserts in rural and urban communities. Social workers can play a key role in elimination of food deserts by serving as advocates and activists in the