Food Desert

A food desert is an area with limited access to affordable and nutritious food, particularly fresh fruits and vegetables, either due to the absence of supermarkets and grocery stores, or due to the inadequate size and location of these shops. Food deserts often coincide with low-income neighbourhoods, where residents may rely on fast food outlets or convenience stores which offer high-calorie, processed, unhealthy foods. Food deserts contribute to food insecurity, poor diet, and health disparities, and addressing them requires a combination of public policy, community development, and initiatives which promote local food systems, urban agriculture, and healthy food retailing.