Researchers from Michigan State University have pinpointed areas in Flint that have unequal, and unaffordable access to healthy food. The inequalities, they said, are based on race and income.
Researchers evaluated more than 250 retail food stores in Flint and found that neighborhoods with the most socio-economic distress had the least access to healthy food.
Rick Sadler is a public health assistant professor at MSU. He said the information will be used to help public health officials develop strategies to improve the areas most affected.
“Things like healthy corner stores, mobile markets, and food delivery services, can benefit from this information because then they can target specific neighborhoods that we know have a lack of access but presumably have some demand just not enough demand to support a massive grocery store”.
Sadler said the findings are already being used by “Refresh MI Store” a group that encourages convenience stores to stock healthy options.
He said the study was specifically for Flint, but he said it could be easily replicated elsewhere and hopes other cities will do their own research.