Friday, February 1, 2008

Grocery Shortage

The Washington Business Journal has a very interesting article today on the "food deserts" of Wards 7 and 8, and the connection between obesity and lack of food options in underserved communities.


graphic courtesy of the WBJ

From the article:

Ashbrook's research confirms what residents of wards 7 and 8 already know: There is not much good food at corner stores. Indeed, food sellers themselves are often missing.

D.C. Hunger Solutions, in a report to be released this spring, found that while 24 percent of the District's population lives east of the Anacostia River, only 15 percent of the city's 360 food stores are there.

For the city overall, there is one food store for every 1,589 residents, but in wards 7 and 8 the ratio is one for every 2,585 residents.
The statistics point to so-called food deserts in east-of-the-Anacostia neighborhoods.

"Certain areas of D.C. really have almost no access to fresh fruits and vegetables," Ashbrook says.

The lack of access to nutritional food is recognized nationally as a significant factor in obesity, and health advocates are exploring ways community planning can improve health.
How amazing would it be if we got a really great urban infill grocery store? (like CityVista, Logan Circle, O Street Market)

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

This is a major issue for people contemplating living in Anacostia. We are forced to get in our cars, on the bus or metro for fresh foods. That is worse than most developing nations! As a resident of Anacostia for 4 years, I think this is the most pressing issue for existing and new residents.

Thanks for posting!