Food Desert Research Paper

Words: 587
Pages: 3

While some might argue that individuals have complete control over their food choices, I contend that other factors significantly influence their decisions. Factors such as the presence of food deserts, income levels, and company production can all affect a person's food habits. One might think that a person doesn't eat healthy because they choose the wrong foods to eat. While this is true in some cases, many times people don't have the choice to obtain healthy food options. Some people live in what are known as food deserts, where there are limited food options. “Food deserts can be described as geographic areas where residents’ access to affordable, healthy food options (especially fresh fruits and vegetables) is restricted or nonexistent …show more content…
Low income families are much more likely to live in food deserts where healthy food is hard to come across, but contain fast food places that sell foods that are incredibly unhealthy. It is well known that fast food places like McDonalds are much cheaper than going to the supermarket and buying groceries. “For instance, while the overall price of fruits and vegetables in the US increased by nearly 75 percent between 1989 and 2005, the price of fatty foods dropped by more than 26 percent during the same period” (“Food Deserts”). Families with low income are much more likely to steer towards fast food because it is cheaper, faster than cooking and also can sustain a person's hunger. In an Official USDA Food Plans: Cost of Food at Home at Four Levels, U.S. Average, December 19 it shows that a family of 4 on a low cost plan is almost $200 a month ( “USDA” graph). Knowing that a low cost plan is still almost an entire week's paycheck for some families, it is easy to understand why a family would choose cheap food options even if they are unhealthy. While this is an easier option for low-income families, there are many effects on those families'