Food Deserts and Food Insecurity

healty food

Introduction

There is considerable food inequality in the U.S., even though the country is one of the wealthiest in the world. Many people and communities still have difficulties accessing healthy food, whether due to the type of food they have access to or the lack of food. Many people face food insecurity and live in places defined as food deserts

food insecuity

food insecuity definition
food-insecure map

what is food insecuity?

Food insecurity is defined as a condition in which a household has limited access to food for daily life. According to statistics gathered by the census, on average, 32% of households below the poverty line suffer from Food insecurity.

how common is food insecuity?

Many people in the U.S. are food insecure. According to USDA, 13.5 percent of U.S. households are food insecure. This percentage is small compared to the U.S. population, but it still represents a considerable number of people. on average, 32% of households below the poverty line suffer from Food insecurity. In 2023, 47.4 million people were food insecure. This includes around 14 million children, 1 in 5 in the U.S. Food insecurity varies from state to state. According to the USDA, it ranges from 7.4 percent in New Hampshire to 18.9 percent in Arkansas. The map shows states where food insecurity exceeds the U.S. average.

Food deserts

food desert cartoon

what is a food deserts

According to USDA, food deserts are areas with limited access to affordable healthy food. These are urban or rural areas with little or no access to a supermarket and grocery. People in food deserts can afford food but cannot afford healthier food options. This can include fruits and vegetables. Instead, People in a food desert have to choose cheaper but unhealthier options, such as fast food or food high in sugar. This result in people in food desert have a higher rate of obesity and high disease. due to a lack of nutritious food, people might deal with food insecurity.

How common are food deserts?

Food deserts are very common in the U.S. In 2021, There were around 6,500 food desert census tracts, and around 34 million people lived in food deserts. These areas tend to have low income and high employment. Unfortunately, food deserts are common in communities of color in the U.S. According to the USDA, 29 percent of black non-Hispanic households have some form of food insecurity.

food desert map
food desert

What causes food deserts?

Many factors can create food deserts.

  • Poverty: If healthy food is expensive or income is too low, a household might be unable to afford it. This is why food deserts are very common in low-income areas.
  • Location: People in food deserts are far from grocery stores and supermarkets, which is why they occur in low-density rural or high-density urban areas.
  • Racial policies: food deserts in the U.S. are a product of policies that negatively affect communities of color. Policies, such as redlining, led to many communities of color experiencing poverty, and it has discouraged investment in healthier food options in these communities.

What are the solutions to this problem?

Government intervention

The government can create programs to help combat Food insecurity. In 2020, about 55% of food-insecure households were in at least one of the three largest federal nutrition assistance programs: SNAP, Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), and the National School Lunch Program (NSLP). The correct implementation of government programs can help significantly reduce the problem. The SNAP program alone has helped reduce the number of people suffering from food insecurity by 30%.

Supply chain consequences

In recent news, we have seen huge back lines in the supply chain, including imported foodstuffs. Although the US does have a food surplus, it still imports 20% of the food that the populace eats. With a weaker economy, this has increased the number of people suffering from Food insecurity to 32% of those under the poverty line. A change in supply chain management would better alleviate this problem, thereby boosting the economy. This means more money is invested into programs, and costs are lower.

Taxes

Although nobody likes to pay taxes, they must pay for all sorts of things to help society. Without taxes, roads and bridges wouldn't be maintained, and these food programs wouldn't be funded. One possible solution, though to a lesser extent, is to create a small tax to fund these food programs specifically.

Grassroots actions

you can promote and organize community initiatives that are potential solutions for food deserts.

  • Community gardens: These gardens can allow people to grow healthy, organic vegetables for their families and communities and provide a place for your community to gain skills and knowledge.
  • Farmers markets: You and others can promote farmers' markets, allowing people to buy healthy food and increasing access.
  • organizing: Finally, You can help organize your community to promote policies that create a more equitable distribution of food for everyone.