Running head: FOOD INSECURITY PAPER

Food Insecurity Paper

Nicole Dirnbeck
Fonbonne University

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Food Insecurity in Missouri
Metropolitan Food Desert

a. The metropolitan tract number identified on the USDA map is 29510107600 in St.
Louis City County Missouri (United States Department of Agriculture, n.d. a)
b. The tract characteristics include low income and low access tracts and 1 and 10 miles
and and 10 miles; low income and low access at 1 and 20 miles. This area does have
low income and low access using vehicle access; the area has low vehicle access, and is
low income, but now low access. When it comes to vehicle availability and supermarket
access, this tract has a high number of households (13.7%) without vehicles that love
more than half a mile from the supermarket. In regards to group quarter population, there
is not a high population of individuals living in group quarters (0.3%) (United States
Department of Agriculture, n.d. a).
c. This is an urban tract with 929 households, and 2,225 people. It has low access at
mile and 1 mile, and low access to vehicles. There are children from ages 0-17, and
senior citizens from ages 65+ that are considered to be low access at and 1 mile
(United States Department of Agriculture, n.d. a).
Rural Food Desert
a. The rural tract number identified on the USDA map is 29221460100 in Washington
County Missouri (United States Department of Agriculture, n.d. b).
b. Tract characteristics include low income and low access tracts at 1 and 10 miles and
and 10 miles; low income but not low access at 1 and 20 miles. This area does have low
income and low access using vehicle access; the area has low vehicle access, and is low
income, but not low access. When it comes to vehicle availability and supermarket

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access, this tract has a high number of households (5.8%) without vehicles that live more
than half a mile from the supermarket. In regards to group quarter population, there is
not a high population of individuals living in group quarters (0%) (United States
Department of Agriculture, n.d. b).
c. This is a rural tract with 1,818 households, and 4,785 people. It has low access at
mile and 1 mile, low access at 10 miles, and low access to vehicles. There are children
from ages 0-17, and senior citizens from ages 65+ that are considered to be low access at
and 1 mile (United States Department of Agriculture, n.d. b).
Challenges in Rural and Metro Areas
Food deserts are defined as rural towns or urban neighborhoods without ready
access to fresh, healthy and affordable food (United States Department of Agriculture,
n.d.). Many of these areas are also considered to be low-income areas as well, which adds
a challenge to residents of not only getting to the store to buy food, but also being able to
afford food (United States Department of Agriculture, n.d.). One big challenge in both of
these areas is getting to a supermarket, and being able to transport enough groceries in
one trip. This is especially an issue for those individuals responsible for young children,
or individuals with limited mobility (The National Academies Press, n.d.).
A challenge for rural areas is the distance from home to supermarket. These
distances tend to be greater than those in metropolitan areas (Why Hunger, 2014). If
access to a car, being able to afford to maintain a vehicle is an issue, residents will have a
greater challenge accessing the supermarket in a rural food desert. In some urban areas,
residents may have a difficult time accessing the supermarket safely. Some urban food
deserts may have high crime rates. It is not only a challenge to obtain food for some of

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these residents, but child care, public transportation, and personal safety add to the
challenges for these individuals (Why Hunger, 2014).
Potential Impacts of Food Deserts
Residents in both rural and metropolitan food desserts can feel the impact of
living in these areas. Access to wholesome food is limited in these areas so citizens may
rely on more accessible convenience and fast foods that may have a longer shelf life, and
are more nutrient dense for the price. With limited access to whole grains, low-fat dairy,
lean protein, and produce, residents in food deserts rely on these processed foods that are
easily available. Because these foods are likely processed, and are often more calorie
dense, higher in saturated fat and higher in sodium, individuals residing in food deserts
may experience increased incidence of chronic illness and obesity related diseases
(Center for Disease Control, 2015).
Children and adolescents in these areas may struggle with their studies. Without
proper nutrition, Americas youth can have a hard time focusing in class. Children may
be so focused on getting food at home, they may not bother with extra studies, or paying
attention in during school hours. Also, proper nutrition is essential for cognitive
development, not to mention it is necessary for proper physical development. Ricketts,
iron-deficient anemia, diabetes, obesity, and dental caries are just a few of the negative
physical health impacts children may experience from inadequate nutrient intake (Center
for Disease Control, 2015).

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Resources

Recently, areas have made strides towards improving conditions in food desert
areas. One way that I have seen personally is the work Gateway Greening is doing. This
organization empowers communities to grow their own produce, reduce garden waste,
and use what they have as resources. Some other ideas include carpooling to
supermarkets, personal and community gardens, utilizing frozen and canned produce and
weekly meal preparation (Michigan State University Extension, 2014).
For children, The National School (Breakfast) and Lunch Program provides two
nutritious meals to children per school day. With this program, children have had
improved academic performance, fewer behavioral problems, development of good
eating habits at a very low cost or for free (Food Research and Action Center, 2015).
Government grants, and program development and expansion are also ways to solve the
problem of food deserts.

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References

Center for Disease Control. (2015, August 28). Nutrition and the health of young people.
Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/healthyschools/nutrition/facts.htm
Food Research and Action Center. (2015). National school lunch program. Retrieved
from http://frac.org/federal-foodnutrition-programs/national-school-lunchprogram/
Michigan State University Extension. (2014, August 31). Overcoming barriers to living
in a food desert. Retrieved from
http://msue.anr.msu.edu/news/overcoming_barriers_to_living_in_a_food_desert
The National Academies Press. (n.d.). Living in a food desert: How lack of access to
healthy foods can affect public health. Retrieved from
http://notes.nap.edu/2011/01/25/living-in-a-food-desert-how-lack-of-accessto-healthy-foods-can-affect-public-health/
United States Department of Agriculture. (n.d.). Agriculture marketing services.
Retrieved from apps.ams.usda.gov/fooddeserts/foodDeserts.aspx
United States Department of Agriculture. (n.d. a). Food access research atlas.
Retrieved from www.ers.usda.gov/data-products/food-access-researchatlas/go-to-the-atlas.aspx
United States Department of Agriculture. (n.d. b). Food access research atlas.
Retrieved from www.ers.usda.gov/data-products/food-access-researchatlas/go-to-the-atlas.aspx

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Why Hunger. (2014, September). Introduction: Food deserts. Retrieved from
http://www.whyhunger.org/getinfo/showArticle/articleId/981