Retail Inequality: Reframing the Food Desert Debate

Retail Inequality explores the failure of recent efforts to improve Americans' diets by increasing access to healthy food, documenting the struggles of two Black neighborhoods in Greenville, South Carolina. It identifies retail inequality as the crucial concept to understanding todays debates over gentrification and community development, revealing that the battle over food deserts was never about food but about equality.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 278 pages
Publication date: 14 December 2021
Publisher: University of California Press

Retail Inequality delves into the shortcomings of recent initiatives aimed at improving American diets by enhancing access to nutritious food. Through extensive research, Kenneth H. Kolb, the author, presents a compelling account of the challenges faced by two Black neighborhoods in Greenville, South Carolina. For decades, external stakeholders disregarded the concerns of residents regarding the limited retail options available in their community. However, the emergence of the food desert concept, driven by well-intentioned but flawed ideas, gained traction in public discourse. Consequently, new allies emerged, believing that the presence of grocery stores and healthier food choices would lead to improved health outcomes. Unfortunately, these efforts failed to alter the food consumption practices of neighborhood residents.

Retail Inequality offers a comprehensive exploration of the underlying factors contributing to unequal access to food. It sheds light on the historical roots of deindustrialization, urban public policy, and racism that have shaped the current landscape. Kolb identifies retail inequality as a pivotal concept in understanding the ongoing debates surrounding gentrification and community development. This book makes it evident that the fight over food deserts was never solely about food; rather, it was a battle for equality.

In conclusion, Retail Inequality serves as a thought-provoking and enlightening examination of the complex dynamics surrounding food access and inequality. Through meticulous research and insightful analysis, Kolb provides a valuable contribution to our understanding of these critical issues. By recognizing the intersection of retail, inequality, and community development, we can work towards creating a more equitable and sustainable food system for all.

Weight: 384g
Dimension: 153 x 229 x 23 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780520384187