Your Absences Makes Me Grow...

In our first entry into our food system, we will be looking at our local grocers and their impact on our health. It is not doubt that obesity and food go hand in hand; and why not, obesity is largely caused by consuming larger quantities of food.

So, the questions I had when reading more about this topic were: 1) is the presence of a local grocer a factor in obesity? 2) Is this a fruit or root (no pun intended) issue, where culture and knowledge drive the intervention as one is the byproduct or cause of the other. Also, does what drive sales drive product selection?

The term "food desert" has been used when defining areas, whether urban or rural, that have little to no access to nutritious foods. Though, these areas have access to food, in many cased the food is of little nutritional value and also high in salt, fat and sugar.

We will delve into the first question more deeply in this grocer section and see the many angles it has and how we can best think about the issue and its possible solution. From a prelusive perspective, culture, knowledge, and income are large factors that impact the availability of food. Or, is it the other way around?

I'm excited to continue learning and read more into the food system and how the grocer plays an intricate part in our health, obesity and community.

"If we do not move with purpose, we will get lost on purpose."