Thread by @KArlito5_, Ya know what... I’m a make this thread cause I spent 3 [...]

Ya know what... I’m a make this thread cause I spent 3 years of grad school researching, writing, and working on food systems. I think I can provide some insight https://twitter.com/kekepalmer/status/1325786443776729089

https://twitter.com/kekepalmer/status/1325786443776729089

First of all. There are already programs available where ppl can use SNAP/EBT to purchase double the amount of fresh produce at same price. This happens at farmers markets. https://www.doubleupfoodbucks.org/how-it-works/

Now this is great and allows fresh produce to be more affordable than it is at a grocery store BUT farmer’s markets are typically systemically flawed. Here’s why

ACCESS.

Access will come up a lot, FYI

Think about this. Typically, farmers markets are prevalent during the warm weather months. I live in Chicago and I’ve worked in Buffalo so I’m going to use those cities as examples (they were also the focus of my research). Both cities have very short growing seasons

To take full advantage of the double up bucks at farmers markets, Chicagoans and Buffalonians really ONLY have from June to maybe October in a good year. That’s 7 months out of the year NOT being able to maximize your EBT dollar on produce.

Short growing season = limited access

But the growing season is only limiting factor. Let’s talk about WHERE farmers markets are located.

In Chicago and Buffalo, most farmers sell at markets in affluent areas. At those markets, there are better/more options and typically lower prices.

Typically, in lower-income communities, the markets are severely limited. There’s a stigma that lower-income ppl don’t eat healthy foods so many farmers don’t sell at markets in those communities. Thus, limited access.

That’s JUST farmers markets. Let’s talk about grocery stores.

I don’t have the statistics BUT a fact is that corner stores or convenience stores out number grocery stores significantly. Even in more affluent communities. The difference is...

In lower-income communities, there is only 1, MAYBE 2 grocery stores. While in affluent areas there are 3-4 grocery stores and a co-op.

For example, let’s compare 2 neighborhoods in Chicago. Englewood (west englewood included) and Lincoln Park. Actually, I’m a provide visuals

The data in the next two maps is from 2013 but the point remains valid today.

First, let's look at Englewood data. Peep the land area and total number of grocery stores vs. Convenience/Corner stores

Okay, Now let's look at Lincoln Park. Pay attention to those same data points from the Englewood map.

Bet. Had a good look?

Even people with no formal education in food systems can see the disparities there. BUT I’m here to talk about EBT and “healthy” foods.

There’s a method to my madness.

Okay so let’s focus on Englewood. In 2013, Englewood had 3 grocery stores and 14 corner stores. One of those stores was/is a Whole Foods. Let me be the first to tell you that Whole Foods is EXPENSIVE. But also did you know that the food available at Whole Foods isn’t consistent..

City wide? What I mean by that is this.

If I go to Whole Foods in Englewood and get lobster tails, the QUALITY of that lobster tail will differ drastically (not in a good way) from a lobster tail purchased at Whole Foods in Lincoln Park.

Here’s why.. Grocery stores are a business.

They put in their stores what they think will sell.

The QUALITY of food you get from the same grocery chain will differ community to community but the PRICE will remain the same.

I challenge you to see for yourself

So EBT. Ms. @KekePalmer wants EBT Recipients to ONLY be able to by “healthy” food. What she didn’t consider though was the quality, price, and availability of that “healthy” food in communities where people have EBT.

This goes for rural white communities too, BTW

So Ms. @KekePalmer might say “go get groceries from a community with better food quality”

But then she wouldn’t be considering transportation and time it takes to complete a grocery trip.

Or maybe ppl should buy “healthy” foods from the corner store?

Sounds good but there’s this thing called price gauging. Basically corner stores will drive up the price of items because they know that their the ONLY option for many people.

So if I’m hungry and I have to feed a family. Do I spend all my EBT on overpriced fruit? @KekePalmer

OR Do I spend my EBT on food that’s going to stretch my EBT dollar as far as it can go cause I only get $400 a month to feed my family.

I’m going to buy grocery that’ll LAST A MONTH. Not stuff that will go bad in a week.

Anyways. I think y’all get the point. I’ll end the thread with this.

Access to healthy, QUALITY, and AFFORDABLE foods are severely limited in communities with higher rates of SNAP recipients. It’s a systemic issue, not an individual issue

And to suggest that people who are ALREADY severely limited should be limited further is ridiculous. @KekePalmer

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