Week 7

            This weeks articles are studies that examine food security and accessibility given different factors such as income, race, economic development, culture, and mobility. In the “African Americans’ Access to Healthy Food Options in South Los Angeles Restaurants,” a study is done between a comparison group, which had zip codes with less African Americans and a target group with more. The comparison area was found to have more restaurants per resident with a difference in customer service offered and also had more places to eat at then the target area. In addition the comparison group was found to have better restaurant environments. This trend continues when discussing the health options and diversity of food. In regards to “Beyond Food Deserts,” research shows that although there are widespread restaurants throughout the city, the quality of food is not uniform. In addition, fewer supermarkets and more convenience stores were found within African American neighborhoods, as well as five times the amount of fruits and vegetables stores.

            The “Food Deserts, Oases, or Mirages?” study examined whether smaller food sellers helped community food security within a community. It found that although there were smaller food vendors with cultural specialties they tended to focus on one demographic to reap the most profit, so in a way it is helping the larger group of all the ethnic demographic groups in the area. Within ethnic demographics the “Mobility Strategies and Food Shopping for Low-Income Families,” finds that people have four modes of mobility: walking, carpooling, public transit, or buying a car. In addition, it finds that buying a car increases ones opportunity, self-dependency, and access. Altogether these articles explore topics readers may have had at some point in time, but weren’t sure of.