Food Desert Problem
Of the State of Texas’ 254 counties, 58 counties are considered Food Deserts.[1] According to the USDA, Food Deserts are communities that struggle to have access to healthy and affordable food. Disproportionately concentrated in low-income and historically marginalized areas throughout the United States,[2] these Food Deserts lack access to healthy foods like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, dairy, and meat. Alongside the lack of healthy food options is the presence of food imbalance, which is the much more readily availability of fast-food options as compared to grocery stores. This lack of access to healthy foods and prevalence of fast food restaurants in these communities often translates to health disparities and high rates of chronic illnesses such as heart disease, diabetes and cancer.[3]
While enrollment in supplemental nutrition assistance programs (SNAP) appears to be the top solution to fight Food Deserts, less than 50% of SNAP eligible Texans actually apply for these benefits.[4] Additionally, access to these grocery stores provides an even bigger barrier.
In an attempt to solve Food Deserts during the 85th Legislative Session, Rep. Eddie Lucio III introduced the Texas Grocery Access Investment Fund, HB 164.[5] The proposal would create funds to encourage companies to open grocery stores, mobile markets and farm stands in low- and moderate-income areas to increase access to healthier foods. Unfortunately, this piece of legislation ultimately failed. In 2021, The Austin City Council approved a resolution aimed at addressing food insecurity in the city by increasing the frequency of CapMetro bus routes connecting food-insecure areas to grocery stores.[6] The plan also called for CapMetro to demarcate grocery stores, food pantries and farmers markets on transit maps, as well as allow people to apply for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, also known as food stamps, through the Capital Metro app.
Creating a balance between grocery stores and fast-food chains would lead to a major change in bettering a community’s overall health. More use of evidence-based policies to improve diet quality, reduction in disparities, changes to nutrition assistance programs, and regulations of store fronts within these Food Deserts should be implemented to better serve some of our most vulnerable Texans.
[1] https://www.ers.usda.gov/publications/pub-details/?pubid=102075
[5] https://capitol.texas.gov/tlodocs/85R/billtext/html/HB00164I.htm
[6] https://www.austintexas.gov/edims/document.cfm?id=250129
