​Food Deserts in Rochester

By Amazie Riley
 
Food deserts are regions where people have a very limited access to healthful and affordable food sources of food. In those areas they have stores that sell high sugary foods and drinks that aren’t as healthy and good for the human body as main grocery stores. People who live in food deserts are at higher risk of diet related conditions such as diabetes, obesity, micronutrient deficiencies and others. Transportation is a bigger factor to food deserts because people with their own source of transportation can go to any store they want/choose but those who rely on public transportation and/or walk options are limited.
 
In the article “Food Justice” says there are a few main causes of a food desert. Food deserts also may be due to having a low income and a lack of income means a lack of access to healthy food. Also due to fast food prices being lower than what’s in the stores those with lower income might spend their money on fast food rather than in the stores. Grocery store locations are a big factor in food deserts. In the article Food Justice, it says “Grocery store owners avoid opening up shop in food deserts because market research suggests more affluent areas are more profitable. Some common characteristics across food deserts—smaller populations, lower rates of employment, higher rates of poverty”.