Food Access
Many Cincinnati residents live in food deserts with limited access to affordable healthy food and these food deserts most often occur in Black, Indigenous and other communities of color. The lack of access to nutrient-dense food leads to increased rates of chronic disease in these communities. A newer term, “food apartheid,” has emerged and refers to a system of segregation that divides those with access to an abundance of nutritious food from those who have been denied that access due to systemic injustice. Community members are interested in creating a more just and equitable food system, and Cincinnati must implement strategies to provide equitable food access in its priority communities. The City must re-imagine what food distribution and access points look like—by listening to unique community needs and interests. Additionally, the City needs to provide the necessary support to realize this new system and take climate impact into consideration when promoting healthy food choices.