Seattle's Food Desert
How the lack of healthy food options exacerbates issues faced by Seattle's most impoverished neighborhoods.
What is a food desert?
The U.S. Department of Agriculture defines a food desert as an area with an unemployment rate of at least 20% where at least 1/3 of the population lives further than a mile from the nearest large grocery store or supermarket (USDA 2011). These stores should offer a range of healthy and affordable food and be qualified to accept Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits (USDA 2011).
Why is this a problem?
Food deserts are often full of fast food options, processed snacks, liquor stores, and factory-farmed meat and dairy; so the issue isn't so much a lack of things to eat, but a lack of healthy, nutritious food options that will in turn help people lead longer, healthier lives (Food Revolution Network, 2020). Because of this, people living in impoverished areas are more likely to experience diet-related health conditions such as heart disease, cancer, and type 2 diabetes. Unfortunately, because of the systemic racism which plagues this country, communities of color tend to be hit the hardest by these issues (Food Revolution Network, 2020).
Is there a food desert in Seattle?
In order to answer this question, we must start by looking at the spatial distribution of healthy food options in Seattle, Washington. Grocery stores and supermarkets in Seattle are not distributed evenly. They are clustered in central Seattle and become more dispersed as you get farther away from the downtown area. In Northwest Seattle and South Seattle, grocery stores are particularly scarce.
Grocery Stores in Seattle, WA
As can be seen in the map below, there is quite a diversity of income brackets in Seattle. However, these various annual incomes are not dispersed evenly throughout the city. Central Seattle is generally home to those with a higher annual household income, whereas it is clear to see that South Seattle residents tend to make less money each year. This cluster of lower-income households in South Seattle correlates with the spatial pattern of grocery stores. Namely, the fact that there are a lot fewer grocery store options in this area.
Grocery Stores and Average Annual Household Income in Seattle, WA
The map of unemployment in Seattle shows an extremely similar spatial pattern to the annual income map. Higher unemployment rates are clustered in South Seattle and when compared with the distribution of grocery stores, we once again see that this area is very lacking. This cluster is included in the unemployment rate bracket of 16.9% - 23.4%, meaning there is a good chance it fits into the USDA qualification of an unemployment rate of 20% or higher. This provides even more support to the idea that South Seattle may in fact be a food desert.
Grocery Stores and Unemployment Rates in Seattle, WA
The spatial distribution of healthy food options, combined with that of annual household incomes and unemployment rates, lead to the conclusion that South Seattle is either a food desert or is very close to becoming one. This poses a great threat for all of the areas inhabitants and their livelihoods. Some solutions to this problem include opening new grocery stores in this low-income area and creating other resources such as community gardens and healthy meal programs in schools. However, in order for long-term change to take place on a broader level, we need to continue to address wide-spread issues of economic inequality and the intergenerational cycles of poverty and racism.
References
Food Revolution Network. 2020. From Food Deserts to Food Oases: Addressing Access to Healthy Food. Retrieved from: https://foodrevolution.org/blog/food-deserts-food-oasis-healthy-food-access/
USDA. 2011. Mapping Food Deserts in the United States. Retrieved from: https://ers.usda.gov/amber-waves/2011/december/data-feature-mapping-food-deserts-in-the-us
