Food inequality continues to effect Akron communities

How the Mustard Seed started a conversation about food deserts:

Link to Script: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1cZXg3wfnwSHOF1pGQQZMBAHjMyamc14ibma9K0-JbbY/edit?usp=sharing

Have you ever wondered what a food desert is? I took a deeper look into Akron’s issues with food equity. Stay tuned for more! #JMCRPP

— princess ife (@ileifeo) April 12, 2018

A woman worked tediously in her community garden a few blocks away from crowds of people in their lawn chairs watching the draining of Summit Lake. What those crowds didn’t know is how the bottom of the lake contained the remains of that woman’s son.

Her garden was her salvation.

Lisa Nunn, executive director of the nonprofit Let’s Grow Akron, uses that anecdote to emphasize the importance of community gardening.

“I think that’s the role that community gardens can play,” Nunn said. “Not just a source and a way to grow your own food…but also a way for you to reconnect with nature, be outside, be active, connect and develop relationships with neighbors. All these things ripple out into other issues in the neighborhood being resolved.”

The city of Akron, like many other cities, deals with food equity. Some areas have over six grocery stores within a ten-mile radius while other areas could be classified as a food desert.

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) defines a food desert as a location without easy access to fresh, healthy, affordable food.

It took five years for Summit Lake to get a Save-a-Lot, which is the only thing they have close to a grocery store other than corner stores.

In 2015, the Mustard Seed opened up a new location in Highland Square. Prior to its opening, the closest grocery store was a six-minute drive and a forty-minute walk.

Mayah Aquart, an Akron native, has experienced food deserts while living in the city. While she was happy for more options, she shared concerns that the Mustard Seed, which has Ohio’s largest selection of natural and organic groceries, isn’t enough.

“The neighborhoods surrounding this specific area are a little more affluent to the point where the people probably do have access to a car and they don’t have to worry about a grocery store being within walking difference,” Aquart said. “When you get a little bit outside this area maybe it did make a difference but in reality if people are struggling to the point to where they don’t have a car to go to the grocery store they most likely can’t afford the food here.”

Nunn’s position in Let’s Grow Akron requires her to wear many hats: she writes grants, she does the book keeping and administrative work, manages the staff and helps plan and prep the community garden. This has allowed her to see the effects of community gardening and food equality in many different aspects.

“We know that higher rates of infant mortality, diabetes, heart disease, childhood obesity, occur in low-income neighborhoods,” Nunn said. “Part of that is because of limited access, maybe limited knowledge about eating healthy and physical activity. Sometimes there is a lack of safe green spaces to be physically active. I think that’s the role that community gardens can play.”

Initiatives like Michelle Obama’s Let’s Move! Campaign has increased interest in healthier lifestyle choices, but Nunn says this interest is not reflected in an increase in funding. She believes that this is because society as a whole does not value fresh, affordable and healthy food for everyone.

“A very big part of my job is to advocate for gardens in low-income neighborhoods where having to pay for that water would mean that there’s no community garden there,” Nunn said. “These services are provided to local groups where they are growing flowers. At no charge and with no scrutiny.”

While Nunn supports the beautification of Akron, she points out that flowers not only cost more money annual but they also do not provide food for communities that lack access to fresh produce.

People like Nunn and companies like the Mustard Seed continue to work to decrease the food divide. Although progress is being made, Aquart stresses the importance for community members to get involved and show their city representatives that this is an important issue.

Aquart said that in a perfect world, “everyone should have access to food that is fresh and of high quality within walking distance so that no matter what problems they might be facing outside of that they can also be able to provide for their families. You shouldn’t ever have to ride the bus to the grocery store and only be able to take home the bags you can carry.”