The lack of good food distribution can create food deserts
by Theodore
In his article Innovative Distribution Can Combat Food Deserts, Derek Singleton examines the impacts poor food distribution can have on a community. Often times this creates food deserts, such as those found in certain Detroit neighborhoods, where residents do not have access to affordable healthy food, or supermarkets. Food deserts can often be found in low income urban neighborhoods throughout the U.S.
Finding a solution to combat food deserts is not always that simple. As Derek points out, “… food deserts are a multidimensional problem that requires multidimensional solutions. It’s important to keep in mind that these are just a few pieces to an incredibly complex puzzle.” However, solutions can be found at the local level. In the case of Detroit, grassroot community initiatives include (amongst others): Community Supported Agriculture (CSA), Farmer’s Markets as well as Regional Food Hubs.
In the age of the Internet, new online-enabled storefronts could also play a significant role in the local food supply network. Such online storefronts would only stock fresh produce according to Internet orders, and could be able to provide the ordered food within just a few hours from when the order was placed.
All the efforts made to bring fresh foods to food deserts need to coincide with a change in peoples’ choices for a healthy, nutritious, diet. Education and creating a new awareness of the important benefits of healthy food is key to finding a lasting, sustainable solution to the problem of food deserts.
For more information read the complete article: Innovative Distribution Can Combat Food Deserts
