New research from Tufts University and a USDA economist published by the International Food and Agribusiness Management Review casts doubt on the popular theory surrounding so-called food deserts in the U.S.
The concept of a “food desert” originated in the United Kingdom, where it was known as a populated area with little or no retail food outlets. It evolved into areas with physical or economic barriers to accessing healthy foods such as fresh fruits and vegetables.
The work suggests that food deserts, which have been used to advance a host of agendas over the years, are more rare than most think.
“In contrast with the conventional wisdom,” the authors wrote, “the results show that high poverty block groups had closer proximity to the nearest supermarkets than other block groups did, on average 85.6 percent of high-poverty block groups had a supermarket within one mile, while 76.8 percent of lower-poverty block groups had a supermarket within this distance.”