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
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The existence of food deserts in the area, according to the report, is shaped by a number of factors, from historic ones like segregation and redlining to modern-day cuts to SNAP food assistance.
—Austin Hornbostel, Nashville Tennessean, 24 Sep. 2025
Stouder noted the area is in an increasing food desert and the pantry will be open to both residents of the facility and the community.
—La Risa R. Lynch, jsonline.com, 23 Sep. 2025
Its proposals to support grocery stores in stocking more produce, introduce markets to food deserts, serve healthy meals to students and veterans, and limit junk-food ads targeted at children all sound promising, but the report offers few specifics on implementation.
—Yasmin Tayag, The Atlantic, 14 Sep. 2025
Katina Holliday, owner of Freshly’s Market in Aberdeen, Mississippi, opened the grocery as a way to combat a food desert.
—Kevin Williams, CNBC, 1 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for food desert
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Austin Hornbostel, Nashville Tennessean, 24 Sep. 2025
Stouder noted the area is in an increasing food desert and the pantry will be open to both residents of the facility and the community.
—La Risa R. Lynch, jsonline.com, 23 Sep. 2025
Its proposals to support grocery stores in stocking more produce, introduce markets to food deserts, serve healthy meals to students and veterans, and limit junk-food ads targeted at children all sound promising, but the report offers few specifics on implementation.
—Yasmin Tayag, The Atlantic, 14 Sep. 2025
Katina Holliday, owner of Freshly’s Market in Aberdeen, Mississippi, opened the grocery as a way to combat a food desert.
—Kevin Williams, CNBC, 1 Sep. 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 5 Oct. 2025.
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