A geographic area where access to affordable and nutritious food is limited, particularly for individuals without access to transportation, defines a specific challenge in urban and rural planning. These areas often lack grocery stores, farmers’ markets, and other establishments that provide fresh produce and healthy food options. Instead, residents may rely on convenience stores, fast-food restaurants, and other sources of processed or less nutritious foods. For example, a low-income neighborhood with numerous fast-food outlets but no full-service grocery store within a reasonable distance can exemplify this concept.
Recognizing and addressing these regions is crucial for improving public health outcomes, particularly in underserved communities. Limited access to healthy food contributes to dietary-related diseases such as obesity, diabetes, and heart disease. Historically, discriminatory housing policies and economic disparities have contributed to the creation and perpetuation of these geographic inequalities. Interventions aimed at improving food access, such as incentivizing grocery store development or establishing mobile markets, can offer substantial benefits to community well-being.
