food & community IN SEVILLE
Nothing highlights the pros and cons of your own culture like visiting another.
When I lived in Spain, I marveled at how food and community were intertwined, and at just how accessible fresh produce and other products were— in remote countryside towns and bustling cities alike.
Food deserts are low-income communities with little to no access to a supermarket/food store. In 2019, the USDA claimed that over 53 million Americans (17%) lived in areas defined as food deserts.
The average American continues to need more and more resources just to get access to basic needs (Internet, transportation, etc.) Now, many people in the US can't even access fresh food without a car.
An upside-down exhibit in a Barcelona museum.
Our first day in Madrid, and we already run into one of the bulkier modes of individual transport: the beloved Vespa.
In stark contrast, Spain is an old country, but easy to get around: public transport is efficient & accessible, and the city itself is ridiculously walkable.
There are food stalls, stores, and markets on every corner, all selling beautiful yet inexpensive produce, pastries, meat, and more. Many of the inside stores even have open windows where customers can walk up and quickly buy bread or other produce directly from a cashier, without even leaving the street.
A quiet night in Granada. The streets are winding and steep, yet I could wander around for hours just looking at the glittering rows of restaurants and stores.
This kind of architecture doesn't just develop naturally.
It has to be built.
As with many issues, however, it's not quite that easy. Spain naturally has access to a lot of fresh produce by virtue of its natural environment. It's disingenuous to assume their societal structures would work exactly the same here.
But that doesn't mean there isn't more we can do!
You can find any number of vendors and markets of all kinds scattered throughout Spanish cities. Many are famous worldwide.
They're accessible, both in location and in price. Spain makes an effort to encourage community growth, and it shows. The US needs to step up, and make an effort to make good food accessible again.
The issue of food deserts has gained significant attention in the United States in recent years.
Food deserts refer to geographical areas, typically low-income communities, where access to affordable and nutritious food is limited or nonexistent.
One of the main reasons for the prevalence of food deserts in the United States is the unequal distribution of grocery stores and supermarkets. In many low-income communities, residents often must travel long distances to access a place that offers healthy food options at affordable prices.
Another stall at the famous Barcelona market, La Boquería. These simple smoothies are cooling, cheap, and delicious— and with no additions like sugar, they’re even healthy!
A beautiful, thoroughly indulgent meal at a Seville restaurant. Most days, we ate simply for breakfast, but even decadent meals in Spain are rich with fruit and organic produce.
This lack of convenient access to fresh produce, whole grains, lean proteins, and other essential items makes it challenging for individuals to maintain a balanced diet.
Instead, they rely heavily on unhealthy, processed foods that are typically available at convenience stores or fast-food restaurants that are more abundant in these areas.
The consequences of living in a food desert extend far beyond mere inconvenience.
Individuals in these areas often suffer from higher rates of obesity, diabetes, heart disease, and other diet-related health issues.
The lack of nutritious food options heightens the risk of poor diet and its associated health problems, creating a disproportionate burden on the physical well-being of residents in these communities.
Food deserts perpetuate existing economic inequalities. Limited access to healthy food can hinder economic growth, as it undermines the health and productivity of the population.
Studies have shown that individuals in food deserts often spend a higher proportion of their income on unhealthy and processed foods, as these are more readily available.
Consequently, the lack of healthy food options exacerbates the financial strain on low-income families, leaving them with less money to spend on transportation, education, and other essential needs.
Government initiatives and grassroots organizations are working to combat the issue of food deserts. Public policies, such as the Healthy Food Financing Initiative, aim to incentivize the establishment of grocery stores and farmers markets in deprived areas. Additionally, community-led initiatives have emerged, promoting urban gardening, community-supported agriculture programs, and mobile food markets to bridge the gap in food access.
Orange trees like these grow up and down the main streets of Seville. Every spring, the streets smell like rich citrus perfume.
Groups like Move for Hunger and the Factory Farming Awareness Coalition are campaigning to bring fresh produce to food banks & pantries across North America. We can petition the government to encourage small business growth: breaking up monopolies like Walmart, encouraging community gardens & markets, and much more.
In conclusion, the prominence of food deserts in the United States highlights a significant disparity in access to nutritious and affordable food. This issue adversely affects the health and well-being of individuals living in these areas and perpetuates economic inequalities. Addressing food deserts requires a multifaceted approach, involving government policies, grassroots efforts, and collaborations between various sectors. By ensuring access to healthy food for all, we can improve public health, reduce economic disparities, and create a more equitable society.
