6 miles.
It's the length of 88 football fields and almost half of a half marathon. It's 31,680 feet; 10,560 yards. Yet, in the city of Dayton, Ohio, 6 miles is the difference between fresh produce and a food desert.
A food desert is an urban location found within a city that lacks access to affordable, fresh fruits, vegetables, meat, and other quality food needed for a healthy diet. This lack of access forces the citizen's living within these communities to consume unhealthy, overly processed food. By the chain of events, this action in turn leads to a continuation of unhealthy lifestyles that impacts almost every aspect of daily life.
Specifically, in Dayton, Ohio, this lack of access is current and ongoing. This geographical issue is one that we can't escape - just like the people living within that 6-mile radius.
According to the Dayton Daily News, this 6-mile radius is one that highlights not only the lack of fresh food and availability but the impact of privilege.
The 6-mile difference found between the Westside Super Market and the Dorothy Lane Market highlights the impact of food availability. Additionally, according to the Dayton Daily News, not only is this distance influential on the diet of the citizens, but also their annual income.
Those who live within this divide, live within an unequal distribution of quality goods that impact their health and wellbeing.
While this issue might not be a prevalent one to those who have access to organic, quality grown, fresh food - it should. 6 miles might be a simple, short distance for those with access to transportation, but just remember: the next time you're hungry for quality ingredients for your favorite meal, try to reflect and walk in another humans shoes - specifically, for 6 miles.
