Narrative

Two food bank volunteers help set up fruits and other food items at a food distribution event. Los Angeles Times

Food insecurity is a systemic issue that refers to the limited or lack of access to adequate food. This includes experiences such as worrying about running out of food, not being able to afford a balanced meal, eating less or skipping meals, amongst others. It is an umbrella term that encompasses all of the barriers people may experience to access nutritious food. A more specific kind of food insecurity are food deserts, which refer to specific geographic areas where individuals have limited access to affordable, nutritious food. These areas are characterized by the lack of supermarkets or grocery stores located at convenient traveling distances which causes an influx in fast food restaurants, liquor stores and convenience stores. This forces people to rely on these places that serve highly processed, calories dense, and low nutrient foods. 

The region of South Los Angeles is a community with extremely limited access to fresh food.

The access to food is deeply affected by the complex connections between economic and social factors. Food deserts develop in areas with high unemployment rates, lower incomes, and limited transportation options. Because of the historical treatment of minority groups, food deserts tend to affect communities of color on a higher level, especially Black and Latinx neighborhoods. The term “Food Apartheid” has even been used to call this phenomenon in an effort to draw attention to the injustices and disparities low-income communities of color experience by recalling the racial segregation in South Africa in the second half of the 20th century. This puts a focus on the structural systems of oppression that have historical and continue to affect these communities. It also emphasizes how decades of intentional discriminatory policies, as well as historical, social, and economic systems have created this lack of access to food, and not just the geographical location. The economic interests of supermarkets and grocery stores are an example of this. These companies are far less likely to invest and have stores in low-income neighborhoods as they are seen to bring in lower profits while requiring high security costs. Also, individuals who don’t own a car or a bicycle, or have access to reliable public transport are more likely to experience food insecurity. Suburban and rural areas often have less options for public transport while the grocery stores are located further away. In urban areas, an individual’s trip to the grocery store could require taking several buses or trains. 

All of the above is extremely concerning considering that California contributes nearly half of the nation’s produce, however, according to the California Association of Food Banks, 1 in 5 Californians currently struggle with food insecurity, that is 8.8 million people. California also has one of the most diverse demographics in the country, with 40% of its population being Latinx and almost 30% identifying as immigrants. But also around 30% of the state’s population were considered poor or near poor in 2023, which means that a significant amount of individuals who experience food insecurity are people of color. Food insecurity not only affects a person’s physical health - as they are more prone to experiencing hunger and malnutrition, and developing type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, and obesity - it also affects their overall well being. It has been linked with poor school attendance and performance, a decrease in workplace productivity, and mental/behavioral problems. 

Los Angeles, CA / USA - 03.13.2020: empty shelves at grocery store in Los Angeles. Image Credit: BrittanyNY / Shutterstock