Food Deserts

Grocery store produce section.

Food Insecurity in LA County Remains Alarmingly High Despite Some Improvement

Food insecurity in Los Angeles County remains above the national average, disproportionately affecting low-income and minority households, with researchers calling for expanded assistance and systemic solutions to address ongoing disparities.

December 24, 2024 - USC Dornsife

Closed grocery store in small building in small town in Washington state.

One Weird Trick for Eliminating Food Deserts

How enforcing one federal law, ignored since the 1980s, could bring back small grocers and ensure more people have convenient access to fresh foods.

December 17, 2024 - The Atlantic

Close-up of person crouching next to garden bed with basket of vegetables.

Urban Farming Addressing Hunger (and More) in Pittsburgh

Urban farming provides opportunities to increase food security in addition to other benefits.

October 14, 2024 - Pittsburgh City Paper

Man with baby in sling holds red grocery basket while looking at refrigerated store section.

Even in ‘Food Deserts,’ Independent Grocers Struggle to Survive

Government support has helped open stores in underserved communities, but cost and scale make it difficult for small businesses to survive long-term.

August 12, 2024 - ProPublica

Two women walking on wide walkway among large trees next to neoclassical building in Cologne, Germany.

How Urban Design Impacts Public Health

With more and more people living in cities, designing equitably healthy urban spaces becomes a key question for policymakers.

November 1, 2023 - Wired

Graphic of Maggi Adamek superimposed over green field and image of hands holding tabletfor The Planning Commission Podcast

Do You Want Fries With That? Exploring the Intricacies of Food Systems Planning

Food systems expert Maggi Adamek talks with The Planning Commission Podcast about the complexities of food policy, from local zoning ordinances to international trade agreements.

June 9, 2023 - The Planning Commission Podcast

walkable street

The Relationship Between Walkability and Public Health

New research indicates that improving public health requires targeted investments in more than just pedestrian facilities.

March 2, 2022 - Popular Science

Corner Store

Healthy Corner Stores Fight 'Retail Redlining'

Small entrepreneurs are working to combat 'food deserts' by bringing fresh, healthy foods to communities lacking access to major grocery stores. But price continues to be a major factor in people's food choices.

September 13, 2021 - The Guardian

Hydroponic Farming

A Microfarm Grows in an L.A. Front Yard

The founder of Asante Microfarm hopes his farm will serve as a model for bringing fresh produce to underserved communities.

May 20, 2021 - Los Angeles Times

Grocery Store Incentive programs

Zoning Incentives for Supermarkets: New York Expands its FRESH Program

The FRESH program, previously offering zoning incentives for grocery store development in 19 districts around New York City, will expand to 11 new locations.

May 20, 2021 - NYC Planning

Grocery Stores

Supermarkets Closing in Response to 'Hero Pay' Requirements in Southern California

The cities of Long Beach and Los Angeles are dealing with the fallout from controversial decisions to require extra compensation for grocery store workers during the pandemic.

March 16, 2021 - Los Angeles Times

Ripe Organic Cultivar Pears

Bringing Urban Orchards to Food Deserts in Ohio

The Common Orchard Project has planted ten orchards in vacant lots in Cincinnati. The organization hopes to plant 100 urban orchards by the end of the decade.

September 22, 2020 - WVXU

Shopping Cart

Dollar Stores and Grocery Stores

Opponents of dollar stores argue that dollar stores are the mortal enemy of grocery stores. Is this really true?

February 24, 2020 - Michael Lewyn

Retail

Local Restrictions on Dollar Stores Gaining Popularity

Cities and counties all over the South are restricting further development of dollar stores.

February 13, 2020 - Next City

Rural Texas

The Food Deserts of Rural America

When a town doesn’t have a grocery store, it means people don’t have access to food. But grocery stores also play an essential social and economic role in rural places. Community stores are trying to fill in the void.

November 13, 2019 - The New York Times

Produce Aisle

Food Deserts Need the Right Kinds of Supermarkets

Research indicates that opening a supermarket in an area that needs it is not enough. The ownership model and relationship to the community are essential to long-term success.

September 21, 2019 - The Conversation

Louisville Supermarket

Food Insecurity a Growing Problem in Louisville

Supermarket closings have turned parts of the city into food deserts. As a result, residents lack access to fresh food and suffer health and economic consequences.

January 18, 2019 - Louisville Courier Journal

Big Tex Urban Farms Hydroponic Tank

A Thriving Dallas Farm Feeds and Educates Year Round

A hydroponic farm on the grounds of the Texas State Fair helps residents in the food deserts of South Dallas.

September 24, 2018 - The Dallas Morning News

Affordable Grocery Stores

The Salvation Army Opening Affordable Grocery Stores

Salvation Army grocery stores opening across the United States will provide lower income families with better access to healthy foods.

March 22, 2018 - Modern Cities

Produce Aisle

'Food Deserts' May Not Be Biggest Factor in Nutrition Discrepancies

According to one recent study, regional culture plays a major part in how healthily people eat. Supply may be less of a factor than demand.

February 19, 2018 - The Washington Post

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This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

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