What Are Food Deserts? How to Eliminate Food Disparities in Your Community

What Is a Food Desert?

Food Deserts are defined as areas that do not have sources of fresh and affordable food that are easily accessible. This could mean a number of things: a lack of nearby grocery stores, an abundance of fast food chains and other unhealthy food sources, or even limited transportation options. Food Deserts are often found in urban areas, where getting to a grocery store is often limited to a car or bus.

How Do We Eliminate Food Inequality?

While there isn’t a uniform answer to permanently getting rid of food disparities, here’s some ways we can help areas of our community that are within Food Deserts.

Support Local Food Banks

Supporting local food banks is a great way to ensure that areas within food deserts have access to fresh and affordable food sources nearby. Do some research in your own community! What local groups hold events and gatherings meant to supply people with readily available food, clothing, or other useful resources?

Find a Community Refrigerator(Or Create Your Own!)

Community Refrigerators are quick and easy tools that can be used to provide food within the immediate area. If you have food you’d like to provide to those who need it, stocking up a community refrigerator with fresh food can be a rewarding activity to do with friends and family. This also ensures that food that is still fresh isn’t thrown away or wasted! Community refrigerators are often packed full with meals, fresh veggies or fruits, and water!

Find or Make an Inclusive Space

Often, because of their proximity to everything else, areas within food deserts may also experience a lack of community or social events to engage in. Think of some ways that you can bring your community together while also being able to give back to it. Try hosting a cookout or food pantry, both great ways to get to know the people in your community while also being able to provide free meals, resources, or even tips and tricks for growing food!

Remember that these aren’t the only ways you can reduce food deserts around your community, try collaborating with others or come up with your own ways to give back to your community. Start small, the ways in which you nurture your community might eventually grow into something big!