Wandering and Wondering About Food Deserts Investigating Obstacles to Food Access in a Small Midwestern City Kyle Bianconi, Kali Kelleher, and Roberta Reed, University of Wisconsin-Superior Deborah Augsburger, University of Wisconsin-Superior Superior, Wisconsin (pop. 27,211) Thanks are due to: Emily Hammersborg, Greg Mertzig, Rich Smith, Brian Lester, and Klay Longstreet of Fall 2012 Anthropology 491 for their essential contributions in laying the foundation of this project; Millie Rounsville and the Northwest Wisconsin Community Services Agency for partnering with us; Sandy Liang and the UWS Center for Academic Service-Learning for material and program support; the Superior Housing Authority; Dr. Adam Pine, University of Minnesota-Duluth for sharing knowledge from the Lincoln Park Food Access Project; Dr. Eric Edwards and Dr. Eri Fujieda of UWS for help with statistics, survey design, and funding; the Department of Social Inquiry for support; Brianne Olson for maps; and Stacy Leno for help with poster production. Food Desert vs. Food Access How to investigate barriers to food access? The survey was sent to all residents of public housing in the city. As of March 28, 2003, 76 surveys had been received (16% return rate). Results were tabulated by percentages and significance. The majority of respondents lived in public housing in the North End (see map), but also came from locations scattered throughout the city. Roughly half of responding households were single adults. One-third of households had children (0-18). Over 90% had household incomes of less than $25,000. Our Questions: What obstacles do low-income residents of Superior face in obtaining healthy, affordable food? How does this relate to the food desert concept? Adapted from U.S.D.A ERS Food access research atlas. “At times money can be a little short so I don’t always buy the healthiest, I go for convenience” “I see many others have the same problem I do – transportation. I see many families take cabs or push shopping carts” “There isn’t enough money available to those who need help to be able to afford eating healthy.” Cars make a difference. Households without vehicles reported transportation difficulties. Physical access problems are compounded by the local climate, poor sidewalks, and limited bus routes. However, even with vehicles, low-income households face financial difficulties in obtaining food. Many of the poorest sections of Superior do count as food deserts by USDA standards (see map). These neighborhoods would benefit from more food choices and more convenient public transportation. But census tracts do not go hungry – people do. The artificial construct of the “food desert” can be used to erase the presence of hungry people as much as call attention to them. The idea of food deserts has been a useful tool for community organizing, and may prove to be one in Superior as well. Yet better physical access to grocery stores, however it is achieved, will not in itself solve the multiple obstacles that people face in obtaining affordable, nutritious food. Introduction Methodology Survey Findings Discussion and Conclusion Acknowledgements This poster presents a research project undertaken in Superior, Wisconsin, a small Midwestern city with distinct neighborhoods lacking grocery stores, and limited public transportation. The study began as a partnership between an anthropology class at the University of Wisconsin-Superior (UWS) and Northwest Wisconsin Community Services Agency (NWCSA). Food Desert: a census tract where at least 20% of the population is below the poverty line, and at least 33% (or 500 people) live more than one mile from a supermarket or large grocery store. (USDA 2009) Food Access Approach: Barriers to food access can be physical, financial, and attitudinal. Questions focused on: Location, income, mobility, etc. adapted from Pine et al. (2011) Food insecurity Fruit and vegetable consumption as an indicator of nutritional quality of diet More than a quarter of respondents (26%) did not have a household vehicle. Some of these lived in census tracts that were not official food deserts, because incomes were too high. Not surprisingly, more than half the households without a vehicle (58%) reported transportation difficulties as an obstacle to food access. Close to 50% of respondents – both with and without cars -- listed financial difficulties as a barrier to food access. Respondents without cars were slightly more likely to report signs of food insecurity. Almost three-quarters of respondents reported some degree of food insecurity in the previous twelve months. Average consumption of fruits and vegetables was low, with slight differences in relation to vehicle and food security status. The leading reported obstacle to consuming more fruits and vegetables: Fruits and vegetables cost too much. Adapted from U.S.D.A Superior, Wisconsin (pop ) 74% of respondents thought that they did not eat enough fruits and vegetables. The most frequently cited obstacle to increased fruit and vegetable consumption was lack of money, not access to a source of produce.