The food deserts of Memphis: inside America's hunger capital | Divided Cities

In the 'food deserts' of Memphis, Tennessee, dominated by fast food outlets and convenience stores, locals lack what seems a basic human right in the richer half of the city: a supermarket. With a big gap in life expectancy, are these Americans doomed to die younger than their neighbours – or can they fight for their right to nutrition?

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#FoodDeserts #Memphis #DividedCities #Tennessee #USA #HungerCapital

[Orius]

In the U.S., corn, sugar, soy and wheat are all subsidized by the government. That's why junk food is cheaper than healthy food, because the ingredients in it are paid for by tax payers, like high fructose corn syrup. If the government switched subsidies to the healthy food, then it would change the health of the population over night.

[fredr]

It's funnny to see how that "problem" is inverse in 3rd World Countries.
Here in Brazil it (relatively) cheap to buy non industrial food, such as chicken, meat, fruits, vegetables, etc, but in the other hand, foods that need some industrial production (like ready to made lasagnas, hamburguers) are reaally expensive, so, the "normal" is people opting to buy those kinds of food instead of these.
On the other hand, when I went to the US i notice that cheetos, chocolate, etc were so much cheap, but I notice that read meat and some fruits were way more expensive.
BTW: This is just a phonemon I noticed, i'm not saying that people in here eat better, or ignoring that Brazil is way poorer and has more food problems then the US, just saying.

[Sfgurl]

Growing up in San Francisco we always had access to grocery stores. The closest one was about a 10 minute walk. However, being Hispanic my dad used to prefer to buy a lot of our produce from Fruterias which is basically a latin store that sells fresh produce and foods more than any other type. As kids we used to hate it cause none of the processed foods like Twinkies were easily found there. lol. As an adult I totally appreciate that we were raised on healthy home cooked meals. ❤️

[tmo]

When you operate on 1% profit, and people steal 1% from you, why would you stay in business.?

[semperfidelis]

So sad that we can buy a burger for .50 cents and salads are over $7.00

[Lisa_MS]

Food trucks could be used as mobile grocery stores as well as the farmer's markets

[Luke-qpfd]

Its fukd how those “convenience” stores are packed with all that sugary unhealthy garbage that isn’t actually cheap. But its not coincidental either 😒

[MarA-tejc]

Another problem is how unwalkable most of the country is. Promotes sedentarism

[teresah.]

@ 6:00 she takes 2 buses which takes her about 1 1/2 hrs., just to get to the grocery store and she is still within the city limits of Memphis, something's wrong with this picture, we're in the 21st century and everyone should have access to produce/food.

[MellwYllw]

Friday or Sunday Markets sound like a great idea. Businesses don't have to move into the area. But can provide a service people require. It's a win win.

[Jose]

I live in Memphis, there was a supermarket/small store right before you got to 201 poplar but it got shutdown because of crime, and close to where I live one store owner got shot and the store closed. So crime is a defining factor in placing stores in high crime areas.

[emryactions]

No grocery store will open up in these Memphis areas because they loose too much money in theft. It’s unsafe and horrible in these neighborhoods

[hellenkeesha]

Complete opposite in Africa, , here veggies, fruits, cereals and such are way more affordable than those fast foods.

[AbtinX]

Ingredients of grape drink? Water, sugar, purple. Everyone knows that one

[yishaiwhite]

Hour and a half each way on the bus to the grocery store!! damn

[emingokberkesin]

USA is really weird country, I live in Turkey, we have also many problems with food, but still low income earners have access to fresh foods, USA has abudant resources but not for its people.

[shannonbekkerus]

People should start growing their own food. A garden can be put almost anywhere. It doesn’t solve the problem, but it would help.

[RM-eibe]

Government Stop interfering in other countries, and sort out national issues

[doctorbigsmiles]

How much can one carry home on the bus? Poor people gotta haul like mules.

[donparnell]

One of the problems is shoplifting is considered a minor crime, and the thieves aren't properly punished. I worked in retail for years, and it would frustrate me over and over to see shoplifters get a slap on the wrist.