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- Title
Exploring the Relationship Between Farmers' Markets, Food Assistance Programs, Food Deserts and Diet-Related Diseases in Texas Census Tracts in 2017.
- Authors
Burkhardt, B. S. Colleen; Matthews, Todd L.; Brace, Andrea M.
- Abstract
Background: Access to affordable and nutritious foods is vital to maintaining a healthy and well-balanced diet. Individuals living in food deserts are not able to reap the benefits that fresh fruits and vegetable offer and may have a greater risk of developing diet-related diseases. Farmers' markets are one way to bring locally grown and affordable fresh produce to areas lacking supermarkets and grocery stores. This study explores the relationships between locations of farmers' markets, food assistance program access at markets, food deserts, and rates of obesity and diabetes by census tract. Methods: Data were collected from the 2017 USDA National Farmers' Market Directory, 2015 USDA Food Access Research Atlas, and 2013 CDC Diabetes and Obesity County Data Indicators. Maps were prepared using ArcGIS. Census tract level relationships were determined using spatial visualization. Results: 201 farmers' markets were located in Texas in 2017. The majority (79%) of these markets accepted zero Food Assistance Programs (FAPs). The highest concentrations of farmers' markets could be found around metropolitan areas. Most food deserts do not have any farmers' markets within their boundaries. Conclusions: Farmers' markets are not located in the areas of most need. When farmers' markets were located within the boundaries of food deserts, they often did not accept FAPs. Farmers' markets alone are not adequately addressing the issue of food access in the state of Texas. There are mixed spatial relationships linking diet-related diseases to residents who live in food deserts. Community based gardens located in food deserts and cultivated by community members would bring affordable and nutritious foods directly to those who would otherwise not have access to them.
- Publication
Texas Public Health Journal, 2020, Vol 72, Issue 4, p28
- ISSN
2574-5859
- Publication type
Academic Journal