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

Examples of food desert in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Foster agreed that a new health clinic is needed and said there are strong prospects for a new full-service grocery store in the district, which has been characterized as a food desert in the past. David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Apr. 2026 Hankins fears that Ashland and Cherryland will devolve into worse food deserts. Chase Hunter, Mercury News, 6 Apr. 2026 The Oak Cliff area contains several food deserts. Staff Artist, Dallas Morning News, 26 Mar. 2026 For Jaree, that framing ignores time scarcity, food deserts, or financial strain. Michelle Beadle Holder, SELF, 16 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for food desert

Word History

First Known Use

1988, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of food desert was in 1988

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Cite this Entry

“Food desert.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/food%20desert. Accessed 19 Apr. 2026.

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