Food Outcry: Dismantling Food Inaccessibility in BIPOC Communities
by India El
Trader Joe’s, a grocery store I personally prefer, quite often gets the reputation of being “too expensive” or “luxury.” However, this store actually contains high quality low-cost foods. A bag of lemons here is not shy of $1.50 compared to $.89 per lemon at a competing store. Other fruits like bananas can be found here for $.20. If there is no time in the day to cook a fresh meal for the family, no worries because wholesome frozen pizzas are about $4.99. Many other reasonably healthy meal options can be purchased around the same low price. Unlike other stores, Trader Joe’s purchases from suppliers directly, resulting in lower costs. In addition, the products are subject to testing to ensure quality, low cost, no artificial flavors or colors, and more. Unfortunately, Trader Joe’s is not located in a close vicinity to underserved Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) neighborhoods that could truly benefit from its model of fresh, wholesome, and affordable foods. While Trader Joe’s is making efforts to expand into more diverse neighborhoods (noted in a Diversity and Inclusion Announcement issued on December 31, 2020) it is important for companies like these to recognize how impactful they can be in creating but also dismantling disparities in these communities.
Because urban and lower-income BIPOC communities do not have access to grocery stores like Trader Joe’s, or others for that matter, it disproportionately affects their overall health. A person's ZIP code should NEVER deny them access to food and one’s fundamental dietary needs. Geographics and public policies have substantially hampered the location of grocery stores, large and small, in these regions (Wolf-Powers, 2017). Sources of quality foods are located miles from these communities, creating what is known as food deserts. This results in higher quantities of fast food chains which only market processed foods and cheap stores without fresh wholesome options. Inaccessibility to nutritious food continues to adversely affect the health outcomes of BIPOC communities. I take a closer look at what causes food deserts, as well as the effects the inaccessibility of healthy food can have on an already vulnerable population. Lastly, I explore actionable solutions that give BIPOC communities a hopeful strategy.
Food Inaccessibility = Racial Discrimination
Many people in BIPOC communities don't have a fridge stocked with healthy fruits, vegetables, and proteins. Having nutritious and balanced meals is far from the standard quality of life in urban and lower-income communities around the nation. Many of their neighborhoods are targeted by redlining, causing food deserts which hinders the ability to obtain the best quality of life.
The term redlining, an “illegal” practice, refers to the denial of loans and insurances or placing strict limitations on obtaining loans based on race. These neighborhoods were identified by red markings on maps (Britannica, 2014). This strategy was a way to avoid investing in individuals based on their race and location. Policies such as these made it unattractive to put money into BIPOC neighborhoods, directly impacting their access to food and ultimately quality of life. Without corporations or associations investing in these neighborhoods it has led to other businesses, like grocery stores, turning a blind eye to people in need of basic food necessities.
The resulting food deserts, areas of limited access to grocery stores (Jiao et al, 2012), are quite apparent around many urban areas around the nation (ex. Washington, D.C.; Baltimore, Maryland; Richmond, Virginia; etc.). Socioeconomic factors such as income, lack of transportation, and high costs in neighborhood markets contribute to this disparity (Duke et.al, 2012).
Discriminatory practices have been affecting people within the BIPOC community for years, so deeply rooted they overflow into other aspects of their lives. Existing public health disparities such as lack of education, minimal job opportunities, and adequate healthcare play in the role of limited access to healthy food. Access to food has especially been an issue during our current pandemic. In March of 2020, the nation noticed widespread food outages due to panic and unknowns surrounding COVID-19. Grocery store times became limited, and still are in some areas; even public transportation was affected. In an article by New York Times, cities like Seattle and New York City experienced a serious reduction in transportation use, decreased revenue, and transit cuts (De La Garza, 2020). Many Americans, most being BIPOC, rely on public transportation for personal travel, work, and grocery shopping. Relying on public transportation can be a burden to get fresh groceries thus making it easier to turn to fast food chains and cheap stores that mostly sell canned fruits, vegetables, and junk food that are more readily available and affordable for these individuals. However, consuming processed foods over long periods of time as well as lacking the ability to seek adequate healthcare affects the health of people already suffering.
Processing the Health Effects and Inequitable Access to Healthcare
Food deserts lack access to fresh nutritious foods, and have a prevalence of processed foods. From personal observation, traveling to cities where the majority is BIPOC, I’ve noticed that many of these areas have dollar stores. The prices are cheap but rarely can you go into one of these stores to find fresh food. Shelves are full of canned foods, sugary cereals, carbonated drinks, junk foods, and only sometimes can you find milk, eggs, cheese, and a few other refrigerated basic items. Among the many dollar stores is a concentration of fast food restaurants. Sadly, it is much easier to feed a family from these restaurants due to their convenience and meal deals. But consuming these overly processed foods can negatively impact the health of those already at risk of preexisting conditions.
Processed food lacks the many nutrients we need like fiber, iron, and B vitamins (Harvard T.H. Chan, n.d.). Some of these foods also contain additives that can either enhance the color of the food or increase the food’s shelf life. Others contain high counts of sugars, sodium, saturated fats and hydrogenated oils (Byrd, Toth, and Stanford; 2018), which have been traced to chronic diseases. Diet has served as a major factor in developing chronic diseases like type 2 diabetes and obesity, as well as vitamin deficiencies (Childs, 2012). Research has shown that Latina, Latino, and Black American adults and children have a higher prevalence of obesity compared to their white counterparts (Byrd, Toth, and Stanford; 2018).
Poor diet coupled with a lack of adequate health care contributes tremendously to the overall health outcomes of BIPOC communities. With little to no access to healthcare facilities and lack of health insurance, how can these individuals treat their preventable diseases? With such barriers, it has led to poor health status and a decrease in life expectancy (HealthyPeople.gov, 2020). According to the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, Blacks or African Americans, Asians, Latinas, and Latinos receive worse care compared to their white counterparts (Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, 2011). Additionally, lack of transportation, both public and personal ownership of vehicles, hinders the ability to seek professional help from physicians. How can we generate avenues to ensure affordable, healthier foods at an arm’s reach for individuals living in these food deserts?
Food for the Body, Mind, and Soul
How do we bring in foods to nourish the mind, body, and soul? In many communities, the residents have come together to bring fresh produce into their neighborhoods. Govans Farmers’ Market and FreshCrate are programs positively impacting Baltimore, MD (Robey, 2019). These programs help to ensure that fresh produce is available to the citizens of the city. Loyola University aids in supporting these programs by stocking local corner stores with fresh foods at affordable prices to consumers. A native of Richmond, VA, Navi Johnson, curated RVA’s Black Farmers Market as an avenue to bring fresh foods back to her community (Coghill, 2020). Approximately 50 percent of the city consists of Black Americans.
While these are excellent examples of community curated programs, how can they be kept alive? It is not enough to simply move stores like Trader Joe’s or farmers markets into food deserts. Think about it--if grocery stores moved into food desert neighborhoods, the individuals who were conditioned to eating processed food regularly would have to break away from the addictive qualities and reset their lifestyle habits.
It will require a shift in mindset, habit, and an understanding that change will not come overnight. Funding for programs such as community centers with fitness classes and equipment, in conjunction with wellness programs, could make a huge difference in these neighborhoods. This initiative would provide and encourage healthier lifestyle resources. Having community leaders that advocate health and wellness education to the youth could bring pivotal change as well. Advocating to the youth brings lasting changes since they are the ones that will transform and sustain it. Education is key in BIPOC communities, because it influences and informs each generation. Having enlightened communities know their basic dietary and fitness needs as well as knowing what poisons them is critical. Instrumental resources like education and the reinvestment in BIPOC neighborhoods will require effort from all governmental levels to ensure the dismantling of food deserts.
BIPOC communities are still heavily affected by discriminatory practices which affect their daily lives. While strategies like redlining are now “illegal”, its implementation years ago still impacts direct access to healthy food. The development of food deserts continues to disproportionately affect BIPOC communities. This has led to nutrient deficiencies and other chronic diseases. The main goal now is dismantling food deserts through education and community initiatives that are dedicated to breaking this cycle. Only then can BIPOC generations cultivate a healthier way of life.
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India El is a native of Virginia. She has a background in biology and is pursuing a MS in regulatory affairs at George Washington University. India is interested in government policies and regulations regarding clinical research and mental health. She is a health equity ambassador at Diverse Health Hub.
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