Food Deserts and Indoor Agriculture

Food insecurity and food waste are topics that many people have discussed and encountered before. But what about food deserts? Food deserts are a growing concern across America. This article will discuss what food deserts are and how indoor agriculture can help combat them.

What They Are

According to the USDA, a food desert is an area where people have limited access to fresh, healthy, and affordable food. They can appear in both rural and urban areas. Food deserts have a lack of available fruits, vegetables, and non-processed foods.

Food deserts occur when people cannot physically reach supermarkets, due to issues such as distance or lack of transportation. They also appear in low-income areas, where people cannot afford healthy food and where stores are not willing to open.

In the United States, approximately 40.5 million people live in a food desert. Not having access to healthy food results in many chronic health issues, especially for developing children.

Indoor Agriculture’s Impact

One way that we can combat food deserts is through indoor agriculture.

More and more people are hungry, and there is less and less farmable land available.

Research shows that the average distance that food has to travel to reach the consumer is 1020 miles. If food is grown at an indoor facility within the community it feeds, then the people living within those communities can more easily access it. The food is fresher and more readily available when it’s grown nearby because it cuts down on transportation needs and costs.

Increased food security and availability is just one of the many benefits that indoor agriculture presents. If you want to begin or expand your indoor ag journey, contact our experts today to learn more and chat about all things CEA.