[Food Deserts] ⑥ Welfare, Diagnosis and Interagency Links Needed to Protect Residents' Survival
Creatrip Team
3 months ago
Experts warn that 'food deserts' in South Korea—areas where residents cannot easily access fresh or quality food—are expanding and must be treated as a welfare issue. Interviews with three specialists highlight that limited access to groceries reduces quality of life, causes malnutrition (e.g., protein, calcium, vitamin A deficiencies) and low body weight among rural elders, and harms mental health and cognitive function. Current national data are inadequate: existing surveys count retail presence only every five years and miss detailed local conditions. Experts call for a unified Korean food-desert diagnostic system that combines factors such as elderly population share and public transport, and for continuous monitoring. Policy responses should be multi‑pronged—linking programs across ministries (examples: food banks, 농식품 바우처 [agri-food vouchers], 가가호호 이동장터 [door‑to‑door mobile markets]) and expanding demand‑responsive transport—rather than relying only on mobile markets. Urban food deserts also need attention, with tailored solutions like prepared fresh meals or community dining services when residents lack cooking facilities. Overall, specialists urge coordinated central data, interagency cooperation, and locally adapted measures to prevent regional decline and support residents' nutrition and wellbeing.
