America has a reputation for being the 'land of plenty', however an unfortunate new trend has left many of its citizens without any access to fresh food or produce.
A new study published by the Associated Press reveals that a startling number of 'food deserts' have cropped up in multiple regions across the country.
As per the United States Department of Agriculture's website, food deserts are described as:
"Urban neighborhoods and rural towns without ready access to fresh, healthy, and affordable food. Instead of supermarkets and grocery stores, these communities may have no food access or are served only by fast food restaurants and convenience stores that offer few healthy, affordable food options."
According to the AP's findings, many of the nation's major grocery and supermarket chains have been reluctant to open in food deserts.
"The nation's top 75 food retailers opened almost 10,300 stores in new locations from 2011 to the first quarter of 2015, 2,434 of which were grocery stores. Take away convenience stores and "dollar stores," which generally don't sell fresh fruits, vegetables or meat, and barely more than 250 of the new supermarkets were in so-called food deserts, or neighborhoods without stores that offer fresh produce and meats." Says the study.
There are a number of factors that have contributed to this slow expansion. Given the generally lower income and reduced spending power of food desert communities, it has proved difficult for major groceries to turn a profit in these areas.
"The average supermarket operates on a 1 or 2 percent profit margin and must be sustainable for at least a decade to recoup any profit," says David Fikes, vice president of consumer and community affairs for the Food Marketing Institute.
Higher crime rates and a lack of skilled employees in the area also contributes to the dearth of healthy food options in food deserts.
