Bodegas over Supermarkets? The Impact of Food Deserts in the Bronx

An image of a bodega. Photo by Pierina Pighi Bel.

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Walking along Fordham Road from near Fordham University to Grand Concourse covers a distance of 2.4 miles. However, there are very few supermarkets along this route. While there are numerous delis and fast-food establishments, accessing a supermarket typically requires one to walk a substantial distance away from the road. 

The Bronx is currently experiencing a crisis of unsustainable food insecurity and the adverse health effects caused by this. In fact, the Bronx leads New York City with the highest poverty rate and food insecurity rate. These problems can be seen through a deeper lens in the South Bronx, which deals with these same issues at a more extreme rate than the overall borough. The South Bronx is commonly defined as the area at the southern tip of the Bronx encompassing community districts one and two, as well as neighborhoods such as Melrose, Mott Haven, Longwood, and Hunts Point. Despite the South Bronx undergoing significant urban revitalization, its household income is still the lowest in the city, highlighting the uneven distribution of the benefits from these development effectors. This is symptomatic of the greater problem of new developments, mainly those driven by gentrification, often catering to wealthier, new residents—while long-standing community members are left to struggle. Many of these new developments and investments can be seen in areas like “SoBro,” which caused visible changes to the area. However, many residents, like my family and I, continue to face economic hardships from not reaping the benefits of these investments. The supermarkets, which could offer residents affordable, fresh produce and healthier food options, are scarce due to zoning laws and the high cost of real estate. The area’s median household income in 2021 was just $32,381, compared to $43,726 in the rest of the Bronx and $70,663 across the city. 

This disparity in resources is starkly reflected in health statistics. For example, the South Bronx’s diabetes rate is over three times higher than some Manhattan neighborhoods. The adult obesity rate is 34.5% in the Bronx, the highest of all NYC boroughs. It seems paradoxical that an area with such high food insecurity would also face high levels of obesity and diabetes, but there are other factors at play. The cause of this is primarily the lack of access to supermarkets—especially in the South Bronx, where bodegas outnumber them. In Mott Haven and Melrose alone, there is a 25:1 bodega-to-supermarket ratio, and residents have far more access to unhealthy food than fresh fruits and vegetables. In short, many residents’ choices are shaped by what they do and do not have access to. Therefore, although it is unhealthy, many will choose the bodega. When you live in a neighborhood where a bodega on every corner is offering faster and cheaper options, and the nearest grocery store is miles away, what choice would you make? 

Economic constraints also make it difficult for residents to afford nutritious food, even when available. The results of gentrification in the community often raise rents and the cost of living, thus displacing families who have lived in the neighborhood for generations. This further exacerbates food insecurity, as many families are forced to allocate more of their already limited income towards rent and other bills, therefore leaving less money for food and other necessities. In the Bronx, urban revitalization efforts are failing to address the structural issues as the new luxury buildings do not solve the problem of food deserts; if anything, they perpetuate inequality by allocating funds away from people who need them the most. For urban revitalization to be the most successful, it must be inclusive and focused on improving access to essential services, including healthy food options. The high cost of nutritious food already makes it difficult enough to maintain a healthy diet; the low level of nutrition education among residents further hinders their ability to make informed dietary choices.

Addressing food insecurity will require more than just building more supermarkets—it calls for comprehensive solutions. Understanding what constitutes a healthy meal, how to read food labels, how to prepare nutritious meals on a budget, and how to take advantage of nearby resources empowers individuals to make healthier choices—even when faced with limited means. This can reduce the risk of many health diseases, while also promoting longevity in nutrition and life. This knowledge can also help connect individuals to critical resources like food assistance programs, community gardens, and fresh produce, which can significantly impact food security. Utilizing education equips individuals with the tools to advocate for policy changes that address the root causes of food insecurity—poverty and inequality—and allows residents to reduce reliance on external sources such as fast food chains or bodegas, which are too prevalent in the Bronx.

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This article was edited by Margeaux Wenner and Victoria Zhang.

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