A geographic area where access to affordable, healthy food options, such as fresh fruits and vegetables, is limited or nonexistent. This is often due to the absence of grocery stores, supermarkets, and other retailers selling nutritious foods, forcing residents to rely on convenience stores or fast-food restaurants with predominantly processed and less healthy offerings. An example includes low-income neighborhoods, both urban and rural, lacking major grocery chains within a reasonable distance, thus impacting the dietary habits and health outcomes of the population.
Understanding the concept is crucial in human geography as it highlights the spatial inequalities in food access and their implications for public health, economic development, and social well-being. Historically, factors such as urban planning decisions, economic disinvestment, and racial segregation have contributed to the formation of these areas. Addressing these disparities is essential for promoting food security and creating more equitable and sustainable communities.
