Skid Row isn’t a food desert

Technically, Skid Row isn’t classified as a food desert. But try telling that to the residents who struggle to find healthy food options.

What’s a Food Desert?
In California, 8,057 census tracts are classified, and of those, 6.6% qualify as food deserts — low-income areas lacking access to healthy and affordable food options within a reasonable distance, according to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). This means over 530 areas in California don't have ready access to nutritious food. Surprisingly, Skid Row isn’t one of them.

Why Isn’t Skid Row a Food Desert?
The USDA defines a food desert as a low-income area where at least 500 people or 33% of the population live more than half a mile away from a grocery store (for urban areas) or more than 10 miles away (for rural areas). While Skid Row is a low-income area, it’s near several grocery stores. However, these stores are located in gentrified Los Angeles neighborhoods such as Little Tokyo, the Arts District, the Fashion District, and Downtown Los Angeles.

The grocery stores in these areas cater more to newcomers living in luxury apartments, often excluding or even evicting Skid Row residents. This disconnect leads to Skid Row’s functional status as a food desert despite its proximity to grocery stores.

How Do Skid Row Residents Eat?
Skid Row has residents with diverse living conditions. Some live in apartments, some in shelters, some in interim and permanent supportive housing, and some live on the streets. One’s living condition mandates the flexibility one may have for food.

For example, someone living in an apartment may have more options because they have their own storage. However, it’s common for apartments in Skid Row not to have stoves, cooking appliances, and refrigerators. This limits their flexibility with food options.

Those living in shelters or interim housing may have access to the food provided there. Though meals are offered, residents of these spaces aren’t necessarily given much choice as to what they can eat. What’s being served is often their only option.

Individuals facing homelessness, particularly those living on the streets, may resort to soup kitchens, meal vouchers, or unreliable and unsafe food sources for sustenance.

Each differing living condition in Skid Row comes with its own set of obstacles to finding healthy food options. Soup kitchens, EBT cards, meal vouchers, food stamps, and donations aren’t always effective in solving this problem.

The Ramifications
The limited food choices available to Skid Row residents can be dehumanizing. Outsiders might see any meal as sufficient, but variety is necessary for both balanced nutrition and dignity.

Government aid, such as EBT cards, food stamps, and meal vouchers, offers some relief by allowing access to discretionary funds, but only if there are places to buy healthy food and ways to prepare it safely. Skid Row’s proximity to grocery stores doesn’t solve the problem, as exclusionary attitudes and anti-homeless cultures keep residents confined.

The Need for Local Grocery Stores
Addressing Skid Row’s food insecurity requires accessible grocery stores. The Healthy Food Financing Initiative (HFFI) offers grants for developing stores in underserved communities, but Skid Row’s lack of a food desert classification excludes it from this aid.

Current Solutions and the Road Ahead
Despite these challenges, there are people and organizations working toward solutions:

• Nonprofits and Small Businesses: Skid Row People's Market provides healthy food and equitable jobs. Recently acquired by Creating Justice LA, this market aims to expand its capacity and address food insecurity.

• Public Sector: Local, state, and federal governments are also working to address homelessness and food insecurity. Initiatives by Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, California Governor Gavin Newsom, and U.S. President Joe Biden aim to address these issues comprehensively.

As public, private, and nonprofit efforts persist, the Weingart Center remains committed to its mission of developing housing solutions and supporting access to nutritious food for all. Our dedication extends beyond our clients to the broader Los Angeles community, emphasizing the importance of empowering individuals through both housing and food security.

If you're a resident of Skid Row and need assistance with accessing food, visit our Access Center. Our dedicated team is here to connect you with resources like food banks, local pantries, and other support services.