By Kara Pifer
While so many people can state that you should eat a variety of fruits and vegetables every day and make sure that you are eating a well – balanced diet, not everyone has such luxuries. For quite a bit of the population, a lack of consuming adequate amounts of fruits and vegetables is by choice, but what if you didn’t even have the choice? Food deserts (not desserts!) are areas that lack access to affordable fruits, vegetables, whole grains, low – fat milk, and other foods that make up the full range of a healthy diet. At first, I didn’t believe that these food deserts could be anywhere in the United States because it seems that almost everywhere you go you can at least find a small town grocery, but I was wrong. According to a report, there actually is a small percentage of Americans who are limited in their ability to access affordable nutritious food because they live far from grocery stores and/or do not have easy access to transportation. The full report, which can be found on the cdc.gov website includes more in depth information.
The first question that comes to my mind it: Does living in a food desert affect health? According to a few incomplete studies, it does. I can imagine that there would be a lack of essential vitamins and minerals, which can have negative effects on health over long periods of time. Also, if a family is not buying fruits and vegetables, whole grains, low – fat milk and other dairy products, what are they eating? I feel as though processed and packaged meals are probably high on the list of frequently consumed foods. These foods are usually high in sodium and fat, while falling short in fiber, protein and complex carbohydrates. Unfortunately, they are low – cost, make multiple servings, easy to prepare, use minimal ingredients beyond the components in the package and family – friendly. These points make processed and packaged foods highly LIKEABLE for many American families.
According to other studies, when food deserts are provided with the nutritious supplies they are lacking, the consumers still choose the foods they are accustomed to. I would like to know how long the time period of this study actually was, because I feel that with time and further exposure with a bit of education, more consumers would make changes toward a healthier lifestyle. This of course, like almost everything else in the country it seems, would depend on cost as well. With high costs on almost unfamiliar foods, what consumer will purchase a large selection for their families on a weekly basis?
What can we as the nutrition community do to help improve the use of healthy products in food deserts and other areas in the United States? There seems to be an almost unending list of opportunities! First, education is key. Reminding or educating communities about the important health benefits that result from eating a well balanced diet is always important. Also, giving quick, easy and low cost recipe ideas for families on the go seems like a beneficial topic for many families. Using easy ideas like adding frozen vegetables to soups and casseroles would most likely be a great start for families who want to make small changes over time.
Currently, the American Dietetic Association is working with United States Representatives Dannie Davis, Marcia Fudge, Sheila Jackson and John Shimkus on a briefing concerning food deserts and access to healthy and affordable food. This topic actually was scheduled for a Congressional briefing on Thursday, March 31, on Capitol Hill in Washington D.C. I cannot find the outcome of this briefing currently, but they planned to discuss many topics including:
· “Defining the problem of food deserts in America,”
· “Industry Partnerships to improve food access,”
· “The role of farmers in reducing food deserts,”
· “How food deserts increase health disparity in US cities,”
· “Creative solutions through public/private partnerships in Cleveland, OH,”
· “How food deserts impact health disparity in Houston, TX”
Are any readers following the outcome of this briefing? I cannot find the results or how smoothly the briefing went but I hope that it went well. If anyone has any further information, feel free to share! With the hard work of dedicated dietitians and other nutritional professionals in the country, there will hopefully be minimal food deserts found throughout the United States in the years to come.
Information on Food Deserts in general can be found at:
Detailed information on proposed briefing can be found at:
An overview can be found at:
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