Closer to Home...

To start out this post, I wanted to post a 5 minute clip I found on you-tube from the feature length documentary “Polycultures: Food Where we Live”. It talks a little bit more about food deserts in urban areas, but in a more interesting and engaging way then I can. It was shot in Ohio, but the same concepts can be applied to the conditions here in Canada.

Looking into some of the research conducted here in Canada, we are a little bit farther behind than our Southern neighbours (more on that later). When I first heard about food deserts, I immediately thought about Toronto. Sure enough, a study conducted at the University of Toronto actually mapped out the areas in inner-city Toronto and their respective “closeness” to a grocery store[3].

The areas that are shaded with grey are the areas within 1 kilometre of a grocery store, basically within walking distance. This makes up about half of the map. The other half of the map, shaded with pink and purple do not fall within 1 kilometre, and these are the areas that are considered to be in “food deserts” [3]. This map also incorporates income into the equation. The lighter colours indicate lower income, meaning that these communities likely have a smaller food budget, no access to a vehicle, and basically less resources[3].

HOLY COW, what are those communities eating?

 …probably not a lot of fresh produce, dairy and milk. As mentioned before, a lot of their diet comes from convenience stores and fast food outlets. AKA high in fats, sugars and sodium. 

 

What about here in Guelph?

                Unfortunately, I have not yet encountered a study on the prevalence of food deserts here in Guelph. However, I luckily found a study done in London Ontario, a smaller city more similar to where we live than Toronto. The article that came out of the University of Western Ontario showed startling results. Just like the previous study, they use a Geographic Information System to map out the areas in the vicinity of grocery stores, including changes from the 1960s up until now. What shocked me was that back in 1961, about 75% of London had access to grocery stores. Now, in 2005, that number has gone down to 20%![4]

 ...Just a little bit to think about. I'm planning on starting my week-long convenience-store diet soon, within the next 2 weeks.

Thanks for reading,

Karoline