WVU in the News: The coronavirus leaves those in food deserts even more vulnerable
The coronavirus pandemic has pushed many people to buy groceries and supplies in bulk, but nearly 23.5 million Americans who live far from supermarkets don’t have that option.
Why it matters: Low-income households in food deserts — more than a mile from a supermarket in a city or suburbs or more than 10 miles in rural areas — often struggle with having enough to eat, and the global pandemic has exacerbated that circumstance. Their access to fresh produce and meat continues to decrease, and they often turn instead to fast food or processed foods, according to the Agriculture Department.
More than 2.3 million Americans live more than a mile away from a grocery store.
“With the virus and the kinds of social distancing regulations that we’ve put into place and issues with businesses shutting down and not continuing to be sources for employment for people, this can only make the situation worse in food deserts, particularly for vulnerable populations. We have to be very concerned about their welfare with regard to food access,” said Lauri Andress, assistant professor at the West Virginia University School of Public Health.