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
Recent Examples on the Web
Finally, addressing social ills that lead to smoking, such as poverty, homelessness, food deserts and inadequate educational opportunities are more likely to help the health disparities in the Black community than a menthol ban ever could.
—Sonia Y.w. Pruitt, Baltimore Sun, 21 Mar. 2024
Of the six, Lakeland is the only neighborhood that is not a food desert.
—Amanda Yeager, Baltimore Sun, 29 Nov. 2024
In some locations around the country—known as food deserts—fast-food restaurants and convenience stores are the primary food sources
Cost is another likely barrier to anti-inflammatory eating.
—Sarah Garone, Health, 10 Oct. 2024
People would drive trucks of vegetables in, because Harlem was a food desert.
—Arati Menon, Condé Nast Traveler, 17 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for food desert 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Sonia Y.w. Pruitt, Baltimore Sun, 21 Mar. 2024
Of the six, Lakeland is the only neighborhood that is not a food desert.
—Amanda Yeager, Baltimore Sun, 29 Nov. 2024
In some locations around the country—known as food deserts—fast-food restaurants and convenience stores are the primary food sources
Cost is another likely barrier to anti-inflammatory eating.
—Sarah Garone, Health, 10 Oct. 2024
People would drive trucks of vegetables in, because Harlem was a food desert.
—Arati Menon, Condé Nast Traveler, 17 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for food desert
Dictionary Entries Near food desert
Cite this Entry
“Food desert.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/food%20desert. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share