Probability of Living in a Food Desert

The USDA defines food deserts as areas where people have limited access to affordable and nutritious food. Approximately 19 million Americans (about 6% of the population) live in food deserts, defined as low-income census tracts where a significant share of residents lives more than 1 mile from a supermarket in urban areas or more than 10 miles in rural areas.

Food deserts disproportionately affect communities of color: Black and Hispanic neighborhoods have fewer supermarkets per capita than white neighborhoods. Rural areas are also heavily affected, with many small towns losing their only grocery store. Residents of food deserts often rely on convenience stores, gas stations, and fast food restaurants for their meals, leading to higher consumption of processed foods, sugar, and unhealthy fats.

Living in a food desert is associated with higher rates of obesity, diabetes, heart disease, and shorter life expectancy. Initiatives to address food deserts include the USDA's Healthy Food Financing Initiative, community gardens, mobile markets, farm-to-table programs, and online grocery delivery services. Studies of new supermarket openings in food deserts show modest improvements in diet quality, suggesting that access alone is not sufficient and must be combined with nutrition education and affordability programs.