Food Deserts in Los Angeles: A Systematic Barrier to Healthy Eating
Residents in some neighborhoods of Los Angeles face significant challenges in accessing nutritious food, living in what are termed “food deserts.”
Definition and Characteristics
According to the Food Empowerment Project, a food desert is an area with limited access to affordable and nutritious food. This situation compels residents to rely on unhealthy, cheap fast food options. Typically, these neighborhoods have a poverty rate of at least 20%, with over 33% of the population living more than a mile from the nearest grocery store, as defined by the USDA.
Systemic Factors
Jack Bobo, executive director of the UCLA Rothman Family Institute for Food Studies, highlights systemic issues such as economic disparities and inadequate public transportation that contribute to the existence of food deserts. Many neighborhoods lack reliable public transport, making it challenging for residents to reach stores offering healthy options.
Bobo also notes that urban planning, zoning laws, and historical practices like redlining—discriminatory practices that limit access to financial services based on race—have significantly influenced the creation of these food deserts. He asserts that zoning policies preventing supermarkets from opening in low-income areas exacerbate the issue.
Historical Context
Research shows that neighborhoods in South LA, such as Watts and Bunker Hill, have experienced economic disinvestment since the late 1930s due to redlining. The lack of investment from grocery stores and healthy food retailers has resulted in an abundance of corner stores offering little in terms of nutritious options, effectively turning these areas into food deserts.
Data indicates that the effects of living in food deserts disproportionately impact Latino and African American communities, particularly in South LA. Conversely, more affluent neighborhoods like Hancock Park and Westwood enjoy better access to healthy food options.
Consumption Patterns
Samantha Corona, a student, illustrates the stark contrast in food options between Westwood and her hometown near Inglewood. Many families in South LA often resort to buying inexpensive snacks instead of whole foods, affecting their overall nutritional intake.
The LA County Department of Public Health reveals that only 12.7% of adults in South LA meet the daily recommended servings of fruits and vegetables, a figure significantly lower than the 22.7% in West LA.
Health Implications
The nutritional deficits experienced by residents in these food deserts lead to various health issues. Residents are often deficient in key nutrients and may experience symptoms such as fatigue and depression. The Food Empowerment Project has also found links between food deserts and increased diabetes rates due to reliance on highly processed foods.
Bobo emphasizes that the problem isn’t merely about calorie intake but also involves inadequate micronutrients leading to mental health issues intertwined with food insecurity.
Community Response
Organizations like the UCLA Healthy Campus Initiative and student groups such as Bruin Dine are active in addressing food access issues. These initiatives aim to provide healthy food options and raise awareness about structural inequalities faced by students in the UC and California State University systems.
However, experts like Stephanie Pincetl caution that quick solutions, such as community gardens, may not effectively resolve the deep-rooted issues of food deserts. Pincetl argues that addressing poverty is crucial for making sustainable change.
Conclusion
Food deserts in Los Angeles illustrate a complex interplay of historical, economic, and social factors that create barriers to healthy food access, particularly in marginalized communities. Addressing these challenges requires a multifaceted approach that goes beyond simply increasing the number of grocery stores.
