Food Deserts

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A study showed that there are 23.5 million people that live in low-income areas with a lack of access to a supermarket or large grocery store and do not have transportation to easily accommodate shopping at the nearest location. Whereas, rural areas lack public transportation infrastructure, there are urban areas of Houston that have limited assess, higher levels of racial segregation and greater income inequality (USDA, 2009).
The USDA (2014) defines food deserts as “urban neighborhoods and rural towns without ready access to fresh, healthy, and affordable food.” These areas instead are littered with high-priced convenience stores and fast food restaurants, contributing to diet and obesity-related illnesses, hypertension, cardiovascular disease and diabetes amongst the population in low-income communities. The First Lady launched her Let’s Move initiative to alleviate childhood obesity and has catapulted a nation-wide examination of the extent of health in the nation (Let’s Move, 2011).
Nutritional status’ of low-income individuals residing in Houston-area food deserts can be enhanced with access to healthy, affordable foods. Although, the USDA’s Economic Research Service (ERS) identified these critical areas on …show more content…
Some of these targeted entities are: residents, non-profit organizations, local and tribal governments, businesses, cooperatives, universities, state Departments of Agriculture, Treasury-certified Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs), Community Development Entities (CDEs) and Community Development Corporations (CDCs)(USDA ERS,

Food Deserts

Food Deserts Food deserts has always been a nationwide issue and has increased to a widespread of neighborhoods. Food deserts is described as a geographic area where there is no access to healthy, affordable food. These food deserts are often found in neighborhoods of low income families and often times those of color. Some believe that food deserts contribute to our nation’s obesity epidemic, diabetes, and heart disease. Healthier foods are generally more expensive and those in low income areas…

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Food Deserts And Food Injustice

America, the problem of food deserts and food injustice plagues poor African American neighborhoods, which in return causes health complications. Black low income communities struggle to acquire nutritious foods due to the lack of supply and immense prices. Comparatively, wealthier white communities can conveniently access healthy foods, exemplifying the systematic oppression of blacks in our land of the free. Inhabitants of these neighborhoods are almost isolated from alimental foods and are basically…

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Food Desert Impact

Impacts of Food Deserts Many parts of the country lack fresh fruit, vegetables, and meat. These neighborhoods have a great absence of grocery stores, farmers market, and healthy food providers, although, they do have access to local quickie marts, such as a Seven Eleven, ampm, etc., and many fast food restaurants (McDonalds, Burger King etc.). Since these local marts and fast food industries are the “primary” food sources for these neighborhoods, it’s obviously not the healthiest choice due to…

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Food Deserts Essay

In the article “Research shows food deserts more abundant in minority neighborhoods” published in John Hopkins Magazine, Kelly Brooks, a writer, defines “food deserts”- neighborhoods of minority race and poverty that have difficulty finding healthier food options. This issue has grown a lot in the states and the government has even tried to help out. The government has given millions of dollars to help support these underserved communities. But, many people have taken the resources for granted such…

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Food Desert Reflection

yesterday that we really didn’t talk about “food deserts” and how they hurt the impoverished in such a detrimental way. Even though we are strictly focusing on the tri-campus community and the issues that lie in where we get our food, I think it is important to recognize that others in the community are much worse off with the food they have access to. We have food security, they do not. As we work towards food sovereignty we must first be sure that all have food security so that we may move towards this…

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Food Desert Research Paper

Policy i FOOD DESERT Abstract Food deserts are urban as well as rural areas where a quality amount of adequate nutritional food is hard to come by. In many instances, people may live within a few blocks of fast food restaurants, but in order to get to a grocery store they may have to travel many miles. The people who live within these food deserts are often considered low income and are ethnically minorities. This research project is a qualitative exploratory study that analyses the relationship…

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Research Paper Food Desert

The idea of a food desert is exactly what it sounds like. A food desert, defined by the United States Department of Agriculture, is an area in which there is a deficiency of fresh fruit, vegetables, and other healthful whole foods, in one particular, usually impoverished, area. I chose to use the city of Las Vegas, Nevada to focus on for this project. I wanted to see if the ‘high-roller’ life style that everyone envisions when going to Vegas is so skewed that it leaves at least an area of the surrounding…

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Food Desert Research Paper

their food choices, I contend that other factors significantly influence their decisions. Factors such as the presence of food deserts, income levels, and company production can all affect a person's food habits. One might think that a person doesn't eat healthy because they choose the wrong foods to eat. While this is true in some cases, many times people don't have the choice to obtain healthy food options. Some people live in what are known as food deserts, where there are limited food options…

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Food Deserts: A Case Study

only fatty filled, greased up, dare to be called “food”. Sounds horrifying but this is a reality for many people across the world, across America and across Tennessee. Ask yourself, what did you have for breakfast today? Was it eggs you cooked up yourself maybe with a side of toast you picked up from the grocery or was it the biscuit from the the drive through down the road. Many people do not realize they are living in a food desert. A food desert is commonly known as an urban area where it is difficult…

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Food Desert Research Paper

A food desert is a part of the country where people do not have easy access to fresh fruits and vegetables because of the lack of farmers’ markets, healthy food stands, and grocery stores. Because of this lack of fresh produce, it is very hard for people in these areas to eat healthy. Since food deserts are such a big issue, there are many individuals and organizations trying to help supply these people with fresh fruits and vegetables so they can live a longer and healthier life. Food deserts have…

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