Susan Kinne, PhD, Center for Disability Policy and Research, University of Washington, 146 N Canal Street #313, Seattle, WA 98103, (206) 685 4769, susaki@u.washington.edu

Background. ‘Food deserts’ in cities are areas in which residents without private cars have difficulty getting to large grocery stores with low prices and wide food selection. Ease of access to a store selling fresh and inexpensive produce has been shown to correlate with fruit and vegetable consumption among older adults and people with disabilities.

Methods. 12 neighborhoods in two Washington State cities were mapped using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) methods to identify residential zones with accessible fixed route transit serving large grocery stores. Observations described the accessibility of these and smaller food stores to people with mobility, hearing and vision limitations.

Results. Neighborhoods varied in the degree to which they provided easy transit access to large and accessible grocery stores. In seven Seattle neighborhoods, 5% to 37% of single-family houses, 9%-51% of duplexes and triplexes, and 35-71% of multi-family apartment buildings had good transit access. Patterns of availability varied; the neighborhood with the lowest access by single family residents had the best access for those in multi-family apartment buildings.

Conclusions. For those dependent on fixed route transit, food deserts were found in both cities, many encompassing areas with high concentrations of older adults and those with disabilities.

Public Health Implications. Reducing the impact of food deserts is a way to promote healthy eating, by supporting location of grocery stores in under-served areas, insuring they comply with ADA access standards, and siting low cost and accessible housing in places served by public transit.

Learning Objectives:

• Explain the importance of ‘food deserts’
• Understand how to identify food deserts using simple mapping
• List three ways to reduce food deserts in urban areas

Keywords: Disability, Community Development

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.