food desert
noun
: an area where little fresh produce is available for sale
Despite the common perception of food deserts as city neighborhoods where fast food chains and convenience stores dominate, many of Kansas' food deserts are in rural areas. In some, residents have to drive 20 miles or farther to find a source of healthful food.—
Megan Hart
Megan HartExamples of food desert in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Sherman Park Grocery Store opened in July 2022 and serves one of the city’s food deserts.
—April Quevedo, jsonline.com, 9 Jan. 2026
That included rehabbing the historic commercial district along Georgia Avenue and bringing a grocery store to the neighborhood, long considered a food desert.
—Rosana Hughes, AJC.com, 7 Jan. 2026
South End residents have said a food desert has been created in its absence.
—Lillian Metzmeier, Louisville Courier Journal, 31 Dec. 2025
The Agriculture Department previously identified around 6,500 food deserts between 2000 and 2006.
—Ashleigh Fields, The Hill, 11 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for food desert
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April Quevedo, jsonline.com, 9 Jan. 2026
That included rehabbing the historic commercial district along Georgia Avenue and bringing a grocery store to the neighborhood, long considered a food desert.
—Rosana Hughes, AJC.com, 7 Jan. 2026
South End residents have said a food desert has been created in its absence.
—Lillian Metzmeier, Louisville Courier Journal, 31 Dec. 2025
The Agriculture Department previously identified around 6,500 food deserts between 2000 and 2006.
—Ashleigh Fields, The Hill, 11 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for food desert
Cite this Entry
“Food desert.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/food%20desert. Accessed 16 Jan. 2026.
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