It May Be Humid, But It’s Still a Desert

The term “food desert” may be new to some.   A food desert is a low-income community without ready access to healthy and affordable food.  The most striking example of a food desert is the city of Detroit, Michigan that does not have a single grocery store within the city limits. 

Ready access is defined as being located within one mile of a place to purchase fresh produce, dairy and fresh meats, typically a full service grocery store although farmers’ markets and small local grocery stores do provide some access in certain areas.   The availability of transportation is a significant factor for low income families seeking food, especially here in Greenville County, South Carolina.  More than 50,000 people in Greenville County live more than one mile from a grocery store and do not have a car.

Public transportation is very limited in geography and service hours.

If  you’re curious about where the food deserts are located in Greenville County, and what criteria are used to assign that title, check out this website.   Read the information about how determinations were made, then put in an address and click on the census tracts to see specifics.

http://www.ers.usda.gov/data/fooddesert/index.htm

How fresh!

Fresh used to be a word describing someone who was behaving rudely.  

Today fresh is a word that implies goodness, quality, something desirable. 

Fresh produce is not expensive to grow on your own – though it does take time, energy and effort. 

Fresh produce you purchase can be expensive – ask the watermelon lover who buys some in February in Michigan! 

We are blessed with a long growing season in South Carolina and from early May until late October we can enjoy an ever changing bounty of vegetables and fruits.  Learning to enjoy what is in season when it is in season allows us to have the freshest at the lowest price.

There are now farmers’ markets all over Greenville County and an effort is being made to make sure low income families that receive SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program – Food Stamps) benefits can purchase fresh items at the Saturday Market on Main Street in Greenville using their EBT card.  Other markets have similar programs.

There’s also the chance to learn from the farmers.  They love to get questions about what variety you’re looking at or how to prepare different items.  If you’re looking for something in particular ask if they grow it or know a farmer who does.

If you’re looking for a farmers’ market close to you check out the St. Francis Community Garden blog http://lg35communitygarden.blogspot.com/     and go to the April 26, 2010 “Local, Local, Local” post for a list of local area markets. 

Fresh is best and fresh and accessible is even better.