Promising Strategies to Improve Access to Fresh, Healthy Food and ...

PolicyLinkIntroductionIn many communities across the country, people walk out their front doors andsee nothing but fast-food and convenience stores selling high-fat, high-sugarprocessed foods. Residents of rural areas sometimes face a complete lack ofnearby food options at all. Obesity is increasing at an alarming rate. 7 The obesityepidemic, and related health problems like diabetes and heart disease, particularlyaffect low-income people of color. 8 African American and Mexican Americanchildren are nearly twice as likely as white children to be obese (19.5 percentand 23.7 percent versus 11.8 percent), and children from low-income familiesare twice as likely to be overweight as those from higher-income families. 9Community environments affect people’s eating and exercise habits, whichscientists and medical professionals agree are key contributors to obesity. 10Lowering obesity rates requires a comprehensive approach, including programs andpolicies to address the choices available in the communities where people live.Studies show that low-income communities of color have fewer supermarketsthan wealthier, predominantly white communities. 11 As a result of this grocery gap,families in low-income communities are forced to make difficult, daily choices aboutthe food they eat. The poor are less likely than others to own cars, so many havelong commutes on public transit or must coordinate periodic rides with friends orextended family to far away supermarkets. In between these trips, people choosefoods that can be purchased nearby, quickly, and cheaply. In many low-incomeurban neighborhoods and rural communities, the only choices are sugary, salty, fattyfoods that are available at convenience and corner stores and fast-food restaurants.The good news is that change is possible—communities across the countryare overcoming the “grocery gap.” This report presents strategies and policyopportunities to help other underserved communities replicate these successes.Healthy Food, Healthy Communities11