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

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About 15% of Mecklenburg residents live in a food desert — higher than the national average of 11%. — Catherine Muccigrosso july 8, Charlotte Observer, 8 July 2026 After an Aldi grocery store abruptly closed in the West Pullman neighborhood over a year ago, the area has been in a food desert. — Marissa Sulek, CBS News, 24 June 2026 Lake believes that early concerns that the transition from a regular wholesale warehouse to a business center would create a food desert in the city’s core were overblown. — Chris Higgins, Kansas City Star, 28 May 2026 Ortiz, in turn, said the district suffered from issues like food deserts and crumbling infrastructure, despite Campos’s lengthy tenure on the council. — Ryan MacAsero, Mercury News, 14 May 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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food cycle

food desert

food fight

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Style

“Food desert.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/food%20desert. Accessed 12 Jul. 2026.

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food desert

noun

Examples of food desert in a Sentence

Word History

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

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