Lecture Notes: Food Deserts and Access to Nutritious Food in South Memphis

Introduction to Food Deserts

• Definition: Areas lacking access to supermarkets and healthy food options.
• Statistics: 23.5 million Americans live in food deserts.

The Reality in South Memphis

• Economic Disparity: Significant wealth gap; areas with poverty often have vacant buildings and no grocery stores.
• Transportation Issues: Many residents lack automobiles, making it difficult to reach supermarkets.
• Local Testimonies:
  • Delois Bateman: Struggles with accessing groceries without a vehicle. Relies on public transport which is time-consuming.
  • Chelle William: Takes two buses (1.5-hour journey) to access groceries.

Comparison with Affluent East Memphis

• Accessibility: Abundance of grocery stores (Whole Foods, Sprouts, Fresh Market) within a short distance.
• Community Divide: Neighborhood integration led to resource shifts, leaving behind those without means to relocate.

Challenges in Bringing Grocery Stores to South Memphis

• Vacant Sites and Investment Challenges: Difficulty attracting grocery stores due to economic risks and redlining policies.
• Example Site: Potential grocery store site acquired by a brewery instead due to financial constraints.

Historical Context: Redlining

• Federal Policy: 1930s maps discouraged investments in "high-risk" areas (often minority or poor neighborhoods).
• Impact on Business Investments: Affected both residential mortgages and small business investments.

Health Implications

• Common Health Issues: High pre-diabetes, type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and elevated blood pressure even in young children.
• Nutritional Education: Efforts to educate on healthy eating habits.

Initiatives and Solutions

• South Memphis Farmers Market: A local response to improve food access.
• Community Planning: The South Memphis Revitalization Action Plan identified food access as a priority.

Conclusion

• Systemic Issue: Emphasis on community environment as the key factor, not individual blame.
• Calls for Change: Need to transform the community environment to improve public health and food access.