Food Justice Research Paper

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Kenyatta University *

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HFN065

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Health Science

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Nov 24, 2024

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1 Food Justice Research Paper Student Name Course Title Instructor Name Institution Affiliation Date

2 Food Justice Research Paper Introduction Food deserts are areas where low-income people lack access to nutritious foods, a problem that has recently become a global issue. Food is at the top of the list of resources that communities evaluate their ability to afford excellent health can get. People living in poverty have a higher rate of food insecurity due to their inability to obtain food. As capitalism spreads throughout the world, life reinforces the every-man-for-himself mentality. This failure to maintain healthy dietary habits has contributed to long-term sickness in impoverished neighborhoods. The chances of keeping good health, following a sensible diet, or even controlling pre-existing conditions are a metaphor for food deserts seen around the world. Food injustice has played a significant role in developing chronic diseases like cardiovascular disease, diabetes, depression, and low lifespan. If a balance on food justice is to be attained, there must be an equitable allocation of environmental burdens. The purpose of this paper is to discuss the fundamental concepts behind health difficulties associated with food deserts and the environmental, political, and agricultural elements that contribute to the situation. Social Context Poverty and unhealthy decision-making First, the issue of food security appears to impact individuals of all ages, particularly low- income individuals and minority communities. Food insecurity can be defined as the inability to afford constant, reliable access to sufficient food for healthy and active living. The majority of people who are unable to obtain appropriate nourishment are more prone to develop chronic illnesses. People may find themselves in food deserts for various reasons, which broadens the definition of poverty. One reason an individual may be impoverished is due to single parenthood,

3 in which the sole parent is unable to support the family on his or her own. In addition, there are instances where families find themselves with more mouths to feed than their budgets allow. Also, there are instances where a person who is a member of an ethnic minority faces prejudice, preventing him or her from obtaining employment or a salary that is suitable for their needs (Allcott, Diamond, & Dubé, 2017). Among other factors, such as having disabled dependents or having a poor socioeconomic position, these are categories that could be used to explain why people live in poverty, resulting in food deserts. When persons living in poverty experience these obstacles, they are more prone to make unhealthy choices. It is relatively usual for poor people to miss doses because they cannot take medication after eating. According to Allcott, Diamond, & Dubé (2017), the reason being they may lack sufficient nourishment to fuel their bodies throughout drug use and may have encountered the adverse effects of taking drugs on an empty stomach. Individuals with limited financial resources may also dilute infant formula to extend the product's life if they cannot afford to renew supplies. Others end up purchasing nutrient-deficient foods in order to sustain their bodies. Due to poor people's difficulties, they may even trade their food to pay their expenses. The poor choices result in chronic illnesses, further straining such individuals' income. Food as a Human Right Humanity's population is predicted to expand in the following years, as is a concern for civil liberties and uneven distribution of food resources. According to Battersby & Crush (2016), food deserts are a manifestation of injustice toward some communities. It is reasonable to assert that the fundamental human right to food is an issue of urgency that has remained unaddressed. Multiple global groups are debating the concept of human rights with the hope of removing poverty, world hunger and consequently ending chronic illnesses (Allcott, Diamond, & Dubé,

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4 2017). Theorizing chronic food deserts as a universal good and worldwide ethical standard does not achieve equality as practical acts do. The United Nations was correct in 1948 in recognizing food as a fundamental human necessity. Healthy food has become estranged from the very people it is supposed to serve as a right. Due to the possibility of food being sold, the agricultural sector has detrimental effects on the human right to food (Battersby & Crush, 2016). There seemed to be categories of rights, with specific actions committed to defending those rights considered harmful and some considered positive. Therefore, to what extent is the government morally obligated to act? Moreover, where do we draw the line when alienating individuals from food resulting in chronic illness in the absence of such measures? Economic Context Capitalism Capitalism is described as an economic system in which a valuable input is used to generate added value (Bitler & Haider, 2011). The wealthy prosper more than the poor under a capitalist economic system because they can develop additional resources. The poor person is disadvantaged, as they can only benefit from value exchange. When an individual engages in farming, they anticipate receiving a return on their investment in the market. This concept causes people to place a higher premium on profit than on the actual value of the commodity they are selling. With the rise of capitalist societies, everyone seeks profit, and projects that do not contribute value are dismissed as worthless. Another defining feature of capitalism is its insatiable need for competition. Individuals with low incomes are harmed when organizational competition occurs.

5 According to Bitler & Haider (2011), capitalism is thus an economic and political system where dominating industries are privately owned rather than by the people. Capitalism overlaps with food deserts due to greed for market dominance, which has displaced food producers and healthcare providers, hence contributing to the issues associated with food deserts. While the number of people who cannot afford food is distressing, uncovering the health consequences of food deserts is more concerning. The assumption that society is democratic and classless is refuted by some homes experiencing food scarcity, while others have more than they can consume. Capitalism excludes those unable to pay for food, yet governments continue to assert the country's democratic status (Bitler & Haider, 2011). Political Context Neo-Liberalism Neoliberalism can be defined as an ideology or set of policies that emphasize the transfer of public assets and power to the private sector (Shannon, 2014). Privatization of government- provided goods and services is used to accomplish this. According to Shannon (2014), neoliberalism has spawned billionaires and enormous inequities in wealth and income over the last few decades. The public assets are owned by a few individuals who profit from them rather than help society. Following the rise of neoliberalism, individual discussions about the status of their government dissolved (Bitler & Haider, 2011). Later on, influential individuals would seize public assets and profit from them. Bitler & Haider, (2011) states that these assets were utilized to dominate and control the market, forcing citizens to rely on fee-based goods and services. The unjust position created by neoliberalism is that affluent individuals can influence market pricing as they choose by monopolizing markets. With this level of influence, minority communities will very certainly encounter the same treatment wherever they go. Government-

6 run enterprises produce food, but the public must buy it or go hungry. According to Campbell, Terri & Dohyeong (2011), there are a limited number of intervention initiatives for victims of food injustice, and they are eventually ineffective. The neoliberal food system intersects with diet-related diseases to demonstrate how public assets capitalistically monopolize the economy (Campbell, Terri & Dohyeong, 2011). If the government distributed food from public farms, food insecurity would reduce, increasing the likelihood of beneficial health outcomes. Proposed Solution/Policies 1. Contribute to community gardens Michelle Obama championed another strategy for resolving food deserts. Dailee (2020) writes that Mrs. Obama popularized the concept of urban agriculture as part of her “Let’s Move!” effort as First Lady. She even demonstrated leadership in this effort by establishing the White House Kitchen Garden in the Rose Garden (Dailee, 2020). This effort sought to combat childhood obesity by increasing access to healthier foods in food deserts. When gardens are purposely established in or near food deserts, this issue is resolved. Numerous communities have built community gardens in food deserts to increase access to healthful foods for the poor. Harrisburg, Washington DC, and Baltimore have all successfully adopted community gardens (Shannon, 2016). 2. Restrict access to dollar stores Numerous cities have decided to cut down the number of dollars stores open in their impoverished districts, mainly if those neighborhoods are food deserts. Birmingham, New Orleans, and Cleveland have all launched programs to slow the growth of dollar stores, particularly in food deserts (Dailee, 2020). While dollar stores appear to be harmless, many of them are increasing the problem of food deserts.

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7 3. Increase accessibility to public transportation Access to nutritious food is a challenge for some residents of food deserts, owing to the area’s lack of transit choices. Urban sprawl results in neighborhoods on the outskirts of town that frequently lack adequate public transportation and grocery access. Similarly, in remote locations, poor public transportation connectivity impedes individuals who do not possess a vehicle. According to Dailee (2020), it was resolved in proportion by the increased use of ridesharing. Lyft teamed with grocery vendors and humanitarian agencies to develop the Grocery Access Program, subsidizing trips to partnering neighborhood grocery stores and farmers' markets for residents dwelling in food deserts (Dailee, 2020). The concept was viable, and Lyft is now spreading into additional states. Personal Solution Distributive justice is the equitable distribution of resources without regard for group identity. This sort of justice transcends food insecurity concerns about health, as diet-related illnesses are more likely to harm residents of disadvantaged neighborhoods or members of minority groups (Shannon, 2016). Also, the social structures and processes that result in healthy food distribution are more inclined to relocate to wealthier locations to maximize profits on their products (Shannon, 2016). Shannon (2016) states that neighborhoods with a high concentration of low incomes are more likely to have an adequate supply of unhealthy foods. To effect change in the immediate neighborhood, redistributive and inclusive social justice is required. It provides an opportunity for areas to obtain nutritious foods and enhance their health standards. The distributive paradigm is centered on providing equal service to citizens through expanding retail establishments and green areas. Conclusion

8 To conclude, coordinated efforts between the public, corporate, and not-for-profit sectors to abolish food deserts in the United States should continue to expand individuals’ access to healthier meals. Paying close attention to these key variables will aid in eradicating food deserts and promoting a sustainable and healthy lifestyle. Food deserts, in particular, have been linked to high levels of morbidity, including obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. Following that, resolving the issue must be a collaborative effort involving education, innovation, and consumer engagement.

9 References Allcott, H., Diamond, R., & Dubé, J. P. (2017). The geography of poverty and nutrition: Food deserts and food choices across the United States . National Bureau of Economic Research. Battersby, J., & Crush, J. (2016). The making of urban food deserts. In Rapid Urbanisation, Urban Food Deserts and Food Security in Africa (pp. 1-18). Springer, Cham. Bitler, M., & Haider, S. J. (2011). An economic view of food deserts in the United States. Journal of Policy Analysis and Management , 30 (1), 153-176. Campbell, Keren & Lawson, Terri & Kim, Dohyeong. (2011). Eradication of Food Deserts through Public Policy: Case of Durham, North Carolina. Journal of Safety and Crisis Management. 1. 23-30. Dailee, A. (2020). 5 Solutions That Alleviate Food Insecurity in the U.S. Medium. Retrieved 8 November 2021, from https://heated.medium.com/5-solutions-that-alleviate-food- insecurity-in-the-u-s-767ba03fcb94. Shannon, J. (2014). Food deserts: Governing obesity in the neoliberal city. Progress in Human Geography , 38 (2), 248-266. Shannon, J. (2016). Beyond the supermarket solution: Linking food deserts, neighborhood context, and everyday mobility. Annals of the American Association of Geographers , 106 (1), 186-202.

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