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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Stepped in to prevent food desert Concerned that closure would again blight the area and re‑create a food desert, CBKC entered negotiations to acquire the grocery operation and assume Lipari Brothers’ lease.
—Robert A. Cronkleton
march 5, Kansas City Star, 5 Mar. 2026
And food deserts disproportionately affect people of color.
—Desiree Mathurin, Charlotte Observer, 25 Feb. 2026
The term food deserts refer to geographic areas where residents have little to no convenient options for accessing fresh and healthy food like apples, oranges, lettuce or tomatoes.
—Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 18 Feb. 2026
The boxes are a lifeline to locals, who live in what has colloquially been called a food desert.
—Sean Timberlake, Sacbee.com, 13 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for food desert
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Robert A. Cronkleton
march 5, Kansas City Star, 5 Mar. 2026
And food deserts disproportionately affect people of color.
—Desiree Mathurin, Charlotte Observer, 25 Feb. 2026
The term food deserts refer to geographic areas where residents have little to no convenient options for accessing fresh and healthy food like apples, oranges, lettuce or tomatoes.
—Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 18 Feb. 2026
The boxes are a lifeline to locals, who live in what has colloquially been called a food desert.
—Sean Timberlake, Sacbee.com, 13 Feb. 2026
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 12 Mar. 2026.
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