What is it about?
This article connects urban sociological theories of neighborhood restructuring during the U.S. 'urban crisis' (of the 1970's and 1980's) to food desert research. Contrary to previous thinking on food deserts, low income areas were not under served by supermarkets in 1970 but became under served by 1990. Further, contrary to previous thinking in urban sociology, increased poverty in urban areas from 1970 to 1990 cannot fully account for losses of neighborhood resources (supermarkets in this case). Possible broader factors for food deserts after the 1970's (and a lack of food deserts prior) are presented.
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Why is it important?
The paper is one of the first to present a historical analysis of food deserts. It shows the relationship between low income neighborhoods and the presence of supermarkets is historically contingent. The paper also shows that increased poverty in urban neighborhoods from 1970 to 1990 cannot fully explain the loss of organizational resources in these neighborhoods. Urban sociologists should examine factors outside of the neighborhood to better understand changes in neighborhood resources.
Perspectives
This paper is the first of a series of papers on the city and industry causes of food deserts. The 2nd can be found in the journal Urban Studies under the title: "City racial composition as a predictor of African American food deserts".
Dr Jarrett Thibodeaux
Framingham State University
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: A Historical Era of Food Deserts, Social Currents, September 2015, SAGE Publications,
DOI: 10.1177/2329496515604639.
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