Statement of The Problem
Food Desert is an international phenomenon that could be defined as part of the country that lacks healthy vegetable, fruit, and other healthful whole foods, usually that could be found on areas that related with poverty.
Driving Force
Losing of original Habitats
Tracking back in history, the Native Americans were unable to enjoy resources in their original habitats due to the displacement from the European Americans violently.
Throughout the year, Native American individuals are not able to access water resources to grow healthy farm food. Common households' food products in the Native American included canned food, canned juice, white flour, and evaporated milk. These food products are also known as "the food that raised the tribe."
Scholars found that Native American community is struggling with similar, systemic issues. 1/4 of them live in poverty, according to census data. Native Americans are twice as likely as white people to lack access to healthy refreshments — finally leading to obesity and diabetes.
Lack of Transportation
For households living far from a supermarket or large grocery store, access to a private vehicle may make accessing these retailers easier than relying on public or alternative means of transportation. Economic Research Services showed that:" 9.2 percent of all housing units in the United States do not have a vehicle, and 4.2 percent of all housing units are at least 0.5 miles from a store and without a vehicle."
Residential Setting
Individuals' living setting might surround by liquor stores or fast food restaurants. Like the previous element mentioned of lack of transportation. Individuals might have initial consideration on selecting the near option as consumption.
Driving Force
Losing of original Habitats
Tracking back in history, the Native Americans were unable to enjoy resources in their original habitats due to the displacement from the European Americans violently.
Throughout the year, Native American individuals are not able to access water resources to grow healthy farm food. Common households' food products in the Native American included canned food, canned juice, white flour, and evaporated milk. These food products are also known as "the food that raised the tribe."
Scholars found that Native American community is struggling with similar, systemic issues. 1/4 of them live in poverty, according to census data. Native Americans are twice as likely as white people to lack access to healthy refreshments — finally leading to obesity and diabetes.
Lack of Transportation
For households living far from a supermarket or large grocery store, access to a private vehicle may make accessing these retailers easier than relying on public or alternative means of transportation. Economic Research Services showed that:" 9.2 percent of all housing units in the United States do not have a vehicle, and 4.2 percent of all housing units are at least 0.5 miles from a store and without a vehicle."
Residential Setting
Individuals' living setting might surround by liquor stores or fast food restaurants. Like the previous element mentioned of lack of transportation. Individuals might have initial consideration on selecting the near option as consumption.
Statistics
In 2011
Image by USDAIn 2019
Image by Childhood Obesity News
Personal Opinion & Potential Intervention
Instant and quick accessible food restaurants are easy to be found everywhere. A person might spend a dollar on two quick burgers rather than purchasing $1 avocado to make a healthier meal. Whole food groceries are still continuing trashing the expiring food products out of their circles. A world is desperate for healthy food, but general markets only care for money. My suggestion for the individuals are experiencing food desert: consider to grow their own plants at home and learn to maintain healthy food choice and lifestyle. For food market companies: if you are getting rid of the products that close expiration date, maybe you could consider sending some of the consumable products to the communities that far from the food markets as a give-back. Might be this is the time to think about equity not equality.
Instant and quick accessible food restaurants are easy to be found everywhere. A person might spend a dollar on two quick burgers rather than purchasing $1 avocado to make a healthier meal. Whole food groceries are still continuing trashing the expiring food products out of their circles. A world is desperate for healthy food, but general markets only care for money. My suggestion for the individuals are experiencing food desert: consider to grow their own plants at home and learn to maintain healthy food choice and lifestyle. For food market companies: if you are getting rid of the products that close expiration date, maybe you could consider sending some of the consumable products to the communities that far from the food markets as a give-back. Might be this is the time to think about equity not equality.
Community Members' Viewpoints
Arthur Chu (Computer Engineer)- "It's a shame that we don't put resources in making healthy food more available to places that need it. Instead of worrying about getting sued, supermarkets should focus on bringing organic food that is near expiration dates to areas that need it the most. An expiration date does not mean it's not safe to consume anymore."
Celia Chazanov (Social Work Major)- "Healthy groceries are far from my community, and lack of transportation for purchasing them are clearly a problem."
Wicky Wong (College Graduated) " I believe that there should be more affordable healthy foods because it wouldn't make sense how a salad is 5 dollar in a store but a hamburger in
Bieu Nygen (Good Friend): " It contributes obesity and relates to economic inequality."
Resource
Amy McDermott ( Jan 31, 2017) Many Native Americans lack access to healthy food, but there’s a
growing movement to change that
https://grist.org/food/food-access-is-a-big-problem-for-many-native-nations-heres-how-one- community-is-fighting-back/
Nutrition Digest (2011) USDA Defines Food Desert
http://americannutritionassociation.org/newsletter/usda-defines-food-deserts
U.S Department of Agriculture "Documentation of Food Access"
https://www.ers.usda.gov/data-products/food-access-research-atlas/documentation/
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