Abstract
The theory of food deserts is that poor people eat poor diets in part because fresh, healthy food is not accessible in areas where they tend to live. We review evidence from a number of disciplines on various elements of this theory and find it wanting. Access to a car is, for most, a more important consideration than access to a full service supermarket. Moreover, a number of cases are reviewed where full service supermarkets were opened in food deserts, usually with little effect on shopping or eating habits.
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Wright, J.D., Donley, A.M., Gualtieri, M.C. et al. Food Deserts: What is the Problem? What is the Solution?. Soc 53, 171–181 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12115-016-9993-8
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12115-016-9993-8