Essay On Food Deserts

People are likely to eat what is convenient and affordable to them. For many U.S citizens, that means a quick drive to the nearest major grocer, which provides an abundance of fresh produce from all corners of the world at a reasonable price. For others, it means a leisurely walk down the block to a local market where they can stock up on fresh, local produce like apples, potatoes and healthy greens. However, for many unfortunate people the only accessible markets are small corner stores, liquor shops, and convenience stores that predominantly sell processed, fringe- foods that offer insufficient nutrients, and sell little-to-no fresh produce or dairy products. These areas that are void of fresh produce are often called “food deserts.” A food desert is described as a geographical area where fresh produce is hard to obtain, particularly for those who do not have access to transportation. Because many of the people who live in food deserts commonly have unreliable transportation, they are forced to shop at convenient stores or eat at nearby fast-food restaurants due to their limited mobility and other options. Food deserts in this sense can often be attributed to lack of thought and design by urban planning agencies. “City
According to J. O’Brien, author of the website titled Celebrating the Many benefits of Farmers’ Markets, “farmer’s markets have become an integral part of social structures. They provide an opportunity for farmers and neighbors to educate each other in nutrition, cooking and agriculture.” (O’Brien) Unlike a trip to the grocery store where you may only interact with one or two people over the time of your visit, a farmers’ market provides on average provides between 15-20 social interactions per visit.