SMU Journal of Undergraduate Research

Mapping Food Justice: Urban Farms and the Examination of Equitable Food Access

Aaron Avila, Texas A&M UniversityFollow
Mark Ayiah, Yale UniversityFollow
Jake Stavely, Southern Methodist UniversityFollow
Marc T. Sager, Southern Methodist UniversityFollow
Maximilian K. Sherard, Southern Methodist UniversityFollow
Anthony J. Petrosino, Southern Methodist UniversityFollow

Abstract

In this project, we worked alongside members from an urban farm in South Dallas to learn about issues related to food justice, urban farming, and food deserts. Using participatory design research methods, we created data visualizations showing how society can reduce inequities relating to food access produced in historically underserved neighborhoods. The research goals guiding this study are: a) to identify food deserts and urban farms in the Dallas-Fort Worth metropolitan region (DFW) and b) to determine which urban farms service the needs of these food deserts. To identify food deserts, we took two steps: First, we used open-access data sources and web-scraping tools to map grocery store locations and identify food deserts consistent with the USDA’s definition (Morrison, 2016). Second, we examined the economic status (income and percentage of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program recipients) and transit conditions (car ownership and access to public transportation) of residents within each food desert using data from the American Community Survey (ACS). This yielded a sub-selection of food deserts with low-income and low-mobility residents. To identify urban farms, we used web-scraping tools to collect and map their locations across DFW. Finally, we examined the proximity of urban farms to food deserts with low-income and low-mobility residents. This allowed us to discern which urban farms are best suited to service the needs of these areas. This study complicates and refines the USDA’s definition of a food desert and positions urban farms as stakeholders who can improve food access.

Recommended Citation

Avila, A., Ayiah, M., Stavely, J., Sager, M.T., Sherard, M.K., & Petrosino, A.J. Mapping food justice: Urban farms and the quest for equitable food access. SMU Journal of Undergraduate Research.