Presentation Reflections

Reflecting back on my presentation, I felt that I was confident in introducing my research topic of the pervasive problem of food deserts in South LA by combining two fields in public policy and [psychology*] to my classmates. Throughout my PowerPoint presentation, I explained the implications of food deserts and why they should be made aware to the people of Los Angeles County.

The prevalence of food deserts, especially in low-income areas such as South LA, is problematic as our society is constantly making advancements toward eco-friendly living. Food deserts in South LA curtail the efforts of policymakers and public health advocates whose goal is to improve the health of their constituents and eliminate socioeconomic disparities. As I have mentioned in my last blog post, food deserts are complex problems that encompass a wide spectrum of issues and there is not so there is not a “one-fits-all” type of solution.

South LA's Community Food Project: Operation Market Makeover

As I expressed in my presentation, the solution to complex issues such as these must begin at the grassroots level. A grassroots-model that advocates active community participation, funding from private and nonprofit businesses and collaborations with policymakers will transform South LA’s prolonged problem of being the “food desert” of Los Angeles County. Civic engagement from South LA residents and collaboration with policymakers and businesses will help transform South LA’s food desert into an accessible and nutritious food environment. 

French political thinker: Alexis de Tocqueville

French political thinker and ethics advocate Alexis de Tocqueville stated, “In America the majority raises formidable barriers around the liberty of opinion; within these barriers an author may write what he pleases, but woe to him if he goes beyond them” (Cooper, 2008).  Tocqueville stressed the value and importance of civic engagement, activism and individualism, as these components are necessary to inspire change. Transformation of a food desert to a food oasis does not happen overnight despite the wishes of most policymakers and residents. Rather, it is a long and challenging process. However, community food projects such as “Market Makeovers” would help spark the importance of community involvement in South LA and lead the community in the right direction. I also enjoyed the Q&A from the class as it did help me broaden my perspective to look at different ways our society is working toward the goal of a healthy food environment and healthy food education.

(Note: *Sorry guys! I was meaning to say Public Health as my 2nd field!)

The Importance of Implementing "Community" in South LA

In order for progress to be made on the issue of food deserts in South LA, the community must be engaged through civic engagement. 

I have been emphasizing and hinting at the importance of civic engagement throughout my blog entries. Civic engagement is important for citizens of a community to be more involved in that it allows them to offer specific recommendations to the department of Los Angeles Public Health Council. In order for change to occur, citizens must realize that by being active, patient, persistent and diligent, they can  produce results. Solving policy issues is a dynamic and long-term process. The implementation of a citizen-centered approach from South LA residents is an essential step toward producing long-lasting change towards building self-governance, fostering social justice and citizen empowerment.

Building partnerships with nonprofit organizations such as Public Matters has been a proactive step from South LA residents into transforming food deserts into food oases.  The project that the nonprofit organization implemented, called, “Market Makeovers” focuses on civic engagement. On its website, the organization outlines the project for community change:

·      Designed to serve a national community

·      Features the work of South LA Healthy Eating Active Community Initiative (HEAC), local high school students and work from the nonprofit itself by using South LA’s corner stores as “case studies” for the corner store transformation

·      Combination of pragmatic information and innovative strategies to combat the food desert issue that’s prevalent in South LA

·      Innovative video content through three media channels

·      An evolving guide for progression towards achieving the policy solution of food oasis

A policy problem cannot have an easy “one fits all” solution as every societal problem is bound to have many different facets. This is not an overnight solution. Many people who live in middle-high income neighborhoods have probably never experienced the hardships that low-income people have to undergo on a daily basis. Because my meals center on fresh food, not having access to fresh fruits and vegetables is unimaginable for me. Market Makeovers campaign is an efficient step towards alleviating the problem of food deserts in a low-income urban communities like South LA. However, there are other sustainable grassroots efforts (ie. community gardens, community supported agriculture, etc.) in which South LA residents can engage in with the city of Los Angeles and business (private and nonprofit). Maybe the city of Los Angeles should look into policy reform/new policy initiatives of other cities such as New York's Health Bucks program for the movement towards change?

Why are there Barriers to Grocery Store Development in South LA?

I ended my last blog post with a meaningful statement from my professor, Lavonna Lewis Ph.D., as she said South LA residents would be willing to take extra measures to travel to West LA grocery stores if they have certain dietary preferences or restrictions.

But this makes me wonder why South LA is still a food desert despite some health policy progressions. Are there are racial disparities regarding food environments in certain neighborhoods to prevent South LA from ultimately being a FOOD OASIS?

The Community Health Council (CHC) discussed in a 2010 policy brief report titled Food Desert to Food Oasis: Promoting Grocery Store Development in South Los Angeles, that there are six key barriers for the establishment of full-service grocery stores in South LA.

(1) Difficulty Identifying Viable Sites

    South LA’s urban landscape is small and oddly-shaped

    Developers find it difficult to expand or create full-service grocery stores.

    There are too many factors to consider such as environmental contamination from construction of these grocery stores, demolishment of existing structures, relocation of businesses/ residents for redevelopment.

    Too much development costs and time spent overtime

(2) Costly Infrastructure Requirements

    Again, the issue with land use and infrastructure requirements outweigh the benefits as there are city of Los Angeles regulations that developers must consider in mixed-use development (ie. transit-oriented districts where it is pedestrian and public transportation friendly)

    Landscaping and layout for construction of full-service grocery stores must follow LA city’s regulations for development

(3) Lengthy Approval Process

    Development is usually a lengthy and cumbersome approval process

o   New projects need to be reviewed and approved by 12 different City departments!

o   During this time, the developers would have to incur more cost than benefit. 

(4) Lack of Skilled Workers

    Retail food industry is about ensuring food safety, customer service and efficiency

    Public education in South LA is lacking---where will managers find skilled laborers? Time to interview non-South LA jobseekers can be costly

(5) Presumed Lack of Spending Power

    Efficient market potential is undermined when low-income residents cannot afford to buy certain products (ex. organic, gluten-free, sugar free, etc.)

(6) Negative Perceptions of the Neighborhood

    Stigma of high crime rates and urban decay in South LA.

You now had a glimpse of the barriers that urban food environments in low-income areas undergo which prevents the residents from eating healthy and living an active lifestyle. But, do individuals have the power to fight for change? My answer: YES, they do!

Why is there still a lack of fresh food in South LA?

If Americans are on board with the healthy, organic movement and First Lady Michelle Obama brought nationwide awareness of food deserts across the United States, why is there still a lack of quality food distributors? I may take my Trader Joes, Sprouts Farmers Market, Whole Foods and local Sunday farmers market for granted but residents in South LA would be extremely happy with access to a supermarket chain.

The federal government has made some progress through First Lady Michelle Obama’s Let’s Move initiative but low-income neighborhoods still lack the access to healthy and fresh foods. As I mentioned in my last two blog posts, food accessibility is extremely important so residents who live in low-income areas in South LA are not forced to resort to unhealthy alternatives. Through research for my third assignment, I decided to refine my topic to health policy economics and how unhealthy eating choices affect people’s happiness levels. Possibly dabble into talking about public health. Possible feedback from the blogging community on how to better refine my topic fields?

In this blog post, though, I will discuss in-depth about how health economics plays a role in why low-income areas still suffer from the lack of access to fresh fruits and vegetables. The civil unrest sparked by the 1992 Los Angeles riots resulted in burned-down independent and chain supermarkets, and operators of these stores were wary of returning.  The limited access to supermarkets definitely creates a significant barrier in healthful eating, as poor residents without adequate transportation to the inner city are stuck with processed food from convenience stores/fast food restaurants that end up increasing their waist lines. This is definitely not a healthy way to live and it contradicts the First Lady’s Let’s Move initiative.

Supermarkets know they can turn a profit by catering to people who desire certain products. It is classic supply and demand economics. If consumers do not buy certain products, grocery stores know that they should decrease the supply of those products in order to avoid profit losses. In perfect competition, markets and consumers are supposed to be informed and rational, and marginal benefit should equal marginal cost. However, the world unfortunately does not work this way. Interestingly, not all grocery stores offer the same products. It all depends on your socioeconomic status, geography and whether businesses feel that they will make a profit with a certain food item.

My former professor, Lavonna Lewis, Phd, made an interesting point in an article published in Intersections South LA as "... people will leave the community if they want to buy things they need". After all, low-income residents do deserve the same product choices as people who live in the West Side... Don't they? I believe they do.