A food desert is a geographic area where residents’ access to affordable, healthy food options – including fresh fruits and vegetables – is restricted due to the absence of grocery stores within convenient traveling distance.
According to the U. S. Department of Agriculture more than 2.3 million people (2.2% of all US households) live more than one mile away from a supermarket and do not own a car.*
In urban areas, economic factors have driven grocery stores out of many cities. An individual’s food shopping trip may require taking several buses, trains or even a cab.