On consumer choice, food deserts and variability

The matter of obesity and "food deserts" is an interesting one.  You may well have heard about the link between obesity and food deserts; you may also have heard more recently that the link between obesity and food deserts is specious.  Hard to say what the truth really is- I suspect somewhere in the middle.  The heart of the matter is indeed consumer choice, but it isn't as simple as just that.  Why would folks choose to eat fast food to the exclusion of healthier fare, all other things being equal?  I am certain that it comes down to variability: there is very little variability in the quality and taste of what one will eat at a McDonald's in Cincinnati and one in, say, Phoenix.  There is, however, a great deal of variability in the quality and taste of good healthy produce commonly available in those two cities -or even within the same city.  So if one is poor, one quite rationally spends one's limited resources on the food that will reliably yield a satisfactory (if unhealthy) meal. 

The solution?  There is no one solution, of course.  Maybe this is a benefit we can confer- giving folks an economically "risk-free" chance to get to know and like healthier foods. 

Old plot, new garden

The third gardening season at the Latonia Baptist Church garden is on.  This year's crops will include (in order from back to front) tomatoes, okra, cucumbers, bell peppers; and (along the right edge of the garden) pole beans. 

Even better than having this garden set up for the season is the fact that Harvest Stewards will be canvassing some local community gardens this season -AND we've got some new volunteers too! 

Looking forward to a productive season!