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this post was submitted on 01 Apr 2026
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Maybe 20+ years ago, fast food was pretty cheap, but not anymore. You probably can't get a fast food meal now for less than $10 or $15...
There are places called food deserts though, usually inner city neighborhoods with disproportionally non-white populations that have been systemically redlined into disenfranchisement. They typically don't have grocery stores or much in the way of fresh produce. The only options tend to be convenience stores, corner stores, and fast food chains.
People in those areas also tend to not drive, and most places in the US have really bad public transit infrastructure. And increasingly, sidewalks get torn up and replaced with an extra lane of traffic. So you see, it's not easy for people in food deserts to get out to further spots to buy healthier food.
The education system also tends to neglect these areas, so people are less informed about the importance of good nutrition, and how to plan a well-balanced meal.
So even though it is cheaper to buy ingredients and cook healthier meals, that presupposes a lot of things like a more affluent zip code, a personal vehicle, and an education system that hasn't completely failed you. As a result, people living in poverty tend to eat more fast food and also suffer related health consequences (while also having less access to healthcare)
Thank you for your patience in answering! I never knew about this issue. Very well explained.
As someone who lived in various food deserts, this is real. Thankfully our family has a car but it was a long drive to anywhere
Sometimes when I talk about them, people think I'm being racist. Usually privileged white people who get by on virtue signaling and condemning others, but who never had to learn about things like food deserts and redlining.
Like, if it's supposedly racist to talk about the systemic issues that people of color disproportionally face, then what the fuck are we supposed to be doing? Pretending "no, it's fine, the non-racist thing to do is more performative messaging that relieves us of feeling any moral responsibility"?