Exploring the Food Desert Crisis in St. Louis
Da’juantay Wynter | Artwork by Merry Schlarman
The Gateway to the West may boast about its barbeque and beer scene, but for many residents of St. Louis, finding affordable and nutritious food within their own neighborhoods is a daily struggle. It is easy to take access to food for granted. Like many cities across the United States, St. Louis is plagued by food deserts: areas with limited access to healthy, fresh and affordable food. Instead, these neighborhoods are dominated by convenience stores, fast food chains and liquor stores. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), 53 million low-income Americans struggle to have access to supermarkets with healthy food. Some of our neighbors are no stranger to the battle to make a “quick grocery run” when the closest grocery store is over a mile away. According to St. Louis Magazine, 18 percent of St. Louis residents, or over 52,000 people, live in a food desert.
Rebecca Koenig, writing for Sauce Magazine, explains the struggle many people in the city experience. She provides insight into the need for more access to grocery stores so that an “88-year old grandmother could shop for fruits and vegetables instead of traveling two miles to Schnucks City Plaza.” Although this distance may not seem far for those with cars, without one, this distance can make a trip to the grocery store a struggle.
The article also details that in Wells Goodfellow, a St. Louis neighborhood that is 96% Black and has a median household income of $34,000, one-fifth of households lack personal vehicles, instead relying on public transportation or their own two feet. Residents of this neighborhood have to walk at least 1.7 miles to find a grocery store. This 1.7 mile walk may even be a struggle for those in good health, but for those who are disabled or have young children,this walk may be impossible, especially with bags of groceries. However, this is the only option for many people in our city, and people of color are affected most. Consider the Crestwood neighborhood, which has a 74% white population and a typical household income of more than $100,000. People in this neighborhood can easily access healthy food, as there are nine grocery stores within a three-mile radius. However, for neighborhoods such as Spanish Lake, which has an 80% African American population with a median income of $41,632, people have to travel at least one mile to a grocery store. However, there is no problem finding fast food, with multiple McDonald’s and Taco Bells nearby.
The barren landscapes of food deserts have consequences that extend far beyond the dinner table. The impact of limited access to healthy, fresh food can shape the health, economic stability, and social equity of entire communities. According to Healthline Media, people who live in food deserts are more at risk for chronic diseases, such as heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure and cancer. The harsh reality of food deserts is that lacking proximity to healthy food options is not just a matter of convenience, but a matter of life and death.
The health consequences of limited nourishment also leave deep emotional scars on individuals and families who are denied the basic human right of food security. Close your eyes and imagine a single mother of four, standing in the aisles of a convenience store, and the hardship of those living in food deserts comes into sharp focus. In her hands, she holds a handful of packaged, processed foods, knowing that her only other option is to take her children to the golden arches of a McDonald’s. She knows that neither of these options will provide the nourishment her family needs, but she is left with no other choice. As she stands there, the sense of hopelessness and desperation is palpable. The simple act of preparing a healthy meal for their loved ones is a dream that remains out of reach.
For many of our neighbors in St. Louis, accessing healthy, nourishing food is a daily struggle that can have significant impacts on their health, finances, and overall quality of life. Denying the basic right of food security to people in our community is a tragedy that demands our attention and action. Only by working together to address the root causes of food deserts and supporting initiatives that increase access to healthy food options can we create a more just and equitable food system for all. In doing so, we can help to ensure that every person in our community has the opportunity to thrive, physically and emotionally.
Da’juantay Wynter ‘26 studies in the College of Arts & Sciences. He can be reached at d.t.wynter@wustl. edu