Food Retailing in an Urban Food Desert: Strategies for Success in Fresh Fruits and Vegetables

Abstract

Demand for and access to affordable, nutritious food is at the forefront of the food desert problem. Detroit, MI is arguably America’s worst food desert, characterized by the scarcity of nutritious foods, and unknown demand for and consumption of healthy food products. Primary data was analyzed to determine factors influencing healthy food consumption in inner-city Detroit. Affordability, access, and consumer perception were found significantly to impact food desert consumers’ decisions to consume fresh fruits and vegetables.

Keywords: food desert, food demand, fruits and vegetables, food access, low income consumers