Study finds Arkansas is a ‘food desert’ for many

An evaluation by the Arkansas Middle for Well being Enchancment says a big variety of Arkansans dwell in a “meals desert,” or areas with poor entry to wholesome meals.

Unhealthy diets are linked to weight problems, the middle notes, and Arkansas has the sixth-highest weight problems price — 38.7 % — within the nation.

The examine discovered that in multiple in 4 Census tracts, 50 % or extra of the inhabitants had low entry to wholesome meals in 2019, utilizing an evaluation of USDA knowledge.

Dr. Joe Thompson, president of the middle, termed the scenario a disaster. In a launch, he stated

“There are communities throughout the state the place people searching for wholesome groceries don’t have any choices,” he stated. “In these neighborhoods, the one native meals sources could also be fuel stations or fast-food eating places. Individuals experiencing poverty are particularly prone to be impacted by the shortage of wholesome meals of their communities, and surging meals and fuel prices up to now 12 months have exacerbated the challenges these people face.”

Low entry to meals was outlined as residing greater than a mile from the closest massive grocery retailer in an city space or greater than 10 miles in a rural space.

In 2019, the middle stated, at the least 358 of the 686 census tracts had at the least 500 individuals, or 33 % of the inhabitants, who lived such distances from massive shops. At the very least 171 of the census tracts have been each low-access and low-income.

The examine, which you’ll be able to learn right here, additionally stated that there have been 1.7 grocery shops or produce distributors per 10,000 individuals in Arkansas, in contrast with a nationwide common of two.1.