Mapping the Evolution of 'Food Deserts' in a Canadian City: Supermarket Accessibility in London, Ontario, 1961–2005

Authors

Kristian Larsen, University of Western OntarioFollow
Jason Gilliland, University of Western OntarioFollow

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

4-18-2008

Volume

7

Issue

16

Journal

International Journal of Health Geographics

URL with Digital Object Identifier

https://doi.org/10.1186/1476-072X-7-16

Abstract

Background: A growing body of research suggests that the suburbanization of food retailers in North America and the United Kingdom in recent decades has contributed to the emergence of urban 'food deserts', or disadvantaged areas of cities with relatively poor access to healthy and affordable food. This paper explores the evolution of food deserts in a mid-sized Canadian city (London, Ontario) by using a geographic information system (GIS) to map the precise locations of supermarkets in 1961 and 2005; multiple techniques of network analysis were used to assess changing levels of supermarket access in relation to neighbourhood location, socioeconomic characteristics, and access to public transit. Results: The findings indicate that residents of inner-city neighbourhoods of low socioeconomic status have the poorest access to supermarkets. Furthermore, spatial inequalities in access to supermarkets have increased over time, particularly in the inner-city neighbourhoods of Central and East London, where distinct urban food deserts now exist. Conclusion: Contrary to recent findings in larger Canadian cities, we conclude that urban food deserts exist in London, Ontario. Policies aimed at improving public health must also recognize the spatial, as well as socioeconomic, inequities with respect to access to healthy and affordable food. Additional research is necessary to better understand how supermarket access influences dietary behaviours and related health outcomes.

Notes

Kristian Larsen was a graduate student at The University of Western Ontario when this article was published.

Also available open access in International Journal of Health Geographics at: https://doi.org/10.1186/1476-072X-7-16

Citation of this paper:

Larsen, K., Gilliland, J. Mapping the evolution of 'food deserts' in a Canadian city: Supermarket accessibility in London, Ontario, 1961–2005. Int J Health Geogr 7, 16 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1186/1476-072X-7-16