Food Deserts

When I carry bags for people at the Oak Park Food Pantry, I often ask the clients how they are doing that day, which starts a conversation. Although the people who come to this food pantry seek help for fiscal reasons, food pantries in other parts of the country are often the only source of fresh produce that is available in the neighborhood. Although the expansion of fast food and the almost unlimited shelf life of processed foods brings reliable sources of calories, the food is rarely nutritious.

As people suffering through poverty try to find their footing and keep their family afloat, their food quality suffers. They are forced to eat fast food several times each week, replacing fresh produce with frozen meals. This starts a vicious cycle, where the only grocers that supply expensive fresh fruits and vegetables go out of business. This reduces the amount of fresh produce available while at the same time increasing the attractiveness and simplicity of eating fast food.

Although it is easy to write off hunger in America as a small issue because the gut reaction to the obesity epidemic is to reduce food consumption, malnutrition is problem that affects a great amount of people. Both obesity and hunger affect around 20 percent of children in the U.S., but hunger has disappeared from the national spotlight as obesity becomes the more “pressing” issue.

The truth is that these people struggling to get healthy food for their families are often overweight or obese, as their calories come from fast food and sugary drinks, instead of a balanced diet with fruits and vegetables. Although it is great that the Michelle Obama is supporting the fight against obesity with fresh food and exercise, switching to healthy foods is not always an option for people living in food deserts.

A few weeks ago, when I was waiting to help someone at the food pantry, I heard a man walking by comment, “Those people can’t be hungry, they’re all overweight.” Misconceptions about hunger and malnutrition in the U.S. contribute to the growing problem, as funds for food pantries and food banks are disappearing due to greater focus on preventing obesity and other diseases.

There are many proposed solutions to food deserts, one of which is tax breaks to stores that vend healthy produce year round, but that only helps a little bit. Greater impact will come from an acceptance and recognition of the extreme desperation that many American find themselves after undergoing financial instability. Community support and action is vital to fighting the disappearance of healthy food sources in urban environments.

 Hunger is an issue that can and should be fought with citizen’s actions rather than with government programs. Small actions can be very effective, just a few hours volunteering at a food pantry, or taking a trip to drive produce to areas without fresh vegetables can make a difference, and inspire others to help.