D3 map puts end to city’s food desert myth

Attention national scribes, television anchors and documentary hosts — Data Driven Detroit’s new interactive map shows the city offers 115 stores that offer groceries in the city … and Whole Foods hasn’t even broke ground!

The study, conducted by Danny Devries and Robbie Linn, hazards that Detroit is more of a “food grassland” than a “food desert,” with only small pockets lacking immediate access to fresh food in the nearby vicinity. Indeed, with two national chains and one international grocery chain, the additional claim that Detroit lacks corporate grocery investment is also put to rest.

Excerpt:

The problem in Detroit is not a lack of food; it is the way in which that food gets to our tables. The food desert label detracts from the situation on the ground and has the potential to distract policy makers, keeping them from finding real solutions. Detroit residents know the local food landscape best. Poor residents also recognize that local groceries do exist, spending over $27 million a month with EBT cards in Detroit grocers. However, they also show their dissatisfaction with their options by traveling outside of the city to spend their EBT dollars.

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