I feel like I understand that it’s a logistical creation. I also get that there were potentially reasons for their existence in the past, but with ostensibly world-wide 2-3 day delivery on anything, how can they exist? I grew up in an island state that didn’t produce anything and yet we received all types of fresh produce and international products, and yet in the middle of first world western countries there is a lack of access to the same things?
In: Economics
Food deserts aren’t where stores exist but can’t stock food, it’s where places that sell a reasonable variety of food doesn’t exist within a certain radius. So, no grocery store, no farmers market, no bodega, no Super Target/WalMart, no Costco/Sam’s, no organic co op, etc. These places are usually impoverished and either rural or inner city, and they happen in certain impoverished neighborhoods more than others (by design, but usually not for logistical reasons). Either they don’t think they can justify opening and maintaining the store due to the amount of money they won’t make, or they don’t think the neighborhood fits their image, or whatever.
Certain types of stores will always open in those areas, though. Stores with small footprints, low staff needs, limited stock, and due to the food desert, captive audience. Drugstores, “dollar” stores, gas stations, liquor stores, fast food joints. Those places sell food, but not a great variety (limited space) and not great quality (butcher meat and fresh produce needs refrigeration and human attention, frozen foods need freezer space), just shelf stable stuff that’s mostly junk, maybe some milk and a basket of apples if you’re lucky. It’s also expensive because there’s no Wal Mart or Safeway or Aldi or Whole Foods to compete with. So residents are limited to what the liquor store is selling or have to travel for good food.
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