Interesting article from New Food Economy looks at the impact of subsidising grocery stores in US food deserts - and whether that's the most effective use of federal funds to help stimulate healthy eating, especially among low income households. According to research cited in this piece, federal money would be better spent making food more affordable for consumers, not just available in local stores. Important to note that food access is a broad term that encompasses more than just physical access - it is also about economic, social and cultural factors that enable or inhibit the consumption of safe and nutritious foods. There are also potentially important lessons here as policies, taxes and incentives are designed to bring together public and private actors across the food system.
Read the full story: Is it time to retire the term “food desert?”