Interesting Articles On Combating Food Deserts

Here Are Some Interesting Articles On Combating Food Desertshttpww

Here are some interesting articles on combating food deserts: Please watch: Video The purpose of this discussion is to offer you the opportunity to debate the issue of food justice and food deserts. Food deserts are a significant issue in poorer neighborhoods in the United States. In many of these neighborhoods, the only access to food is through a local convenience store or a fast food restaurant. This severely limits the options for the poor to have access to fresh and wholesome food and has been evidenced as a key reason for the obesity epidemic in the United States. This issue is encompassed in the overarching topic of food justice, which highlights the issue of food deserts as well as public access to genetically modified foods, organic foods, and the issues of equal access for positive food options in light of public health and social inequality.

Prepare and post a response to the following prompt: Read the Hilmers article assigned this week. Assume that your town is a food desert and you would like to do something about it. Prepare an evidenced argument to present to your local town council that outlines an idea to offer healthy food options to your town. Use at least one ethical theory or perspective to support the moral or ethical reasoning for why this program should be implemented. Your initial post should be at least 250 words in length. Support your claims with examples from the required material(s) and/or other scholarly sources, and properly cite any references in APA style as outlined in the Ashford Writing Center.

Paper For Above instruction

The issue of food deserts in impoverished communities poses significant public health challenges, including obesity, diabetes, and malnutrition, often exacerbated by limited access to healthy foods. As a resident concerned about these issues, I propose establishing a community-based local food hub that sources fresh produce, whole grains, and other nutritious foods directly from regional farmers and suppliers. This initiative would be complemented by educational programs emphasizing healthy eating habits to empower residents to make better dietary choices. Presenting this idea to the town council requires a compelling moral framework; I choose to ground my argument in the ethical theory of utilitarianism, which advocates for actions that maximize overall well-being.

Utilitarianism, as articulated by John Stuart Mill, emphasizes the importance of promoting the greatest good for the greatest number. Implementing a community food hub that improves access to nutritious foods would reduce health disparities, lower obesity rates, and foster a healthier population, thereby increasing overall happiness and quality of life. Evidence from studies shows that food deserts contribute to poorer health outcomes (Hilmers, Hilmers, & Dave, 2012), and initiatives that improve access to healthy foods correlate with positive health impacts (Morland & Filomena, 2007). By providing affordable, fresh produce, the town can prevent chronic illnesses associated with poor diets, which in turn reduces healthcare costs and enhances community well-being.

Furthermore, this approach aligns with ethical principles of justice, promoting equitable access to essential resources. It responds to social inequality by ensuring all residents, regardless of income or neighborhood, have opportunities for healthy nutrition. Education programs complement this effort by cultivating long-term healthy habits, contributing to individual and community benefits. The creation of a local food system not only addresses immediate food insecurity but also fosters economic development by supporting local farmers and businesses, which aligns with sustainable development goals.

In conclusion, adopting a community food hub rooted in utilitarian ethics offers a morally compelling and practically effective solution to food deserts. It maximizes health benefits and promotes social equity, ultimately leading to a more just and prosperous community. This initiative must be prioritized by the town council to advance public health and social justice for all residents.

References

  • Hilmers, C., Hilmers, D., & Dave, J. (2012). Neighborhood Disparities in Food Access and Availability: An Examination of Food Deserts in the United States. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 9(2), 553-568. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph9020553
  • Morland, K., & Filomena, S. (2007). Disparities in the Availability of Healthy Foods in U.S. Urban Neighborhoods. Preventing Chronic Disease, 4(3), A63. https://doi.org/10.5888/pcd4.3.a63
  • Rawls, J. (1971). A Theory of Justice. Harvard University Press.
  • Mill, J. S. (1863). A System of Logic. Longmans, Green, Reader and Dyer.
  • Pollan, M. (2008). The Omnivore’s Dilemma: A Natural History of Four Meals. Penguin Books.
  • Gottlieb, R., & Joshi, A. (2010). Food Justice. The MIT Press.
  • Alkon, A. H., & Mares, T. M. (2012). Food justice frameworks in US food movement discourses: Equality, sustainability, and agriculture of the middle. Local Environment, 17(9), 937-954. https://doi.org/10.1080/13549839.2012.701729
  • Solomon, L. (1992). Ethics and the environment: An introduction. Blackwell Publishing.
  • Chen, T. A., & Spence, M. (2013). Food justice and social equity in urban food systems. Public Health Nutrition, 16(11), 2001-2004. https://doi.org/10.1017/S1368980013000284
  • Gowdy, J. M. (1998). Valuing Nature: Economics, Ethics, and the Environment. Penn State Press.

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