A food desert is an area that has limited access to affordable and nutritious food,[1][2][3] in contrast with an area with higher access to supermarkets or vegetable shops with fresh foods, which is called a food oasis.[4] The designation considers the type and quality of food available to the population, in addition to the accessibility of the food through the size and proximity of the food stores.[5]

Wikipedia – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Food_desert

Transport and accessing food retailers

The above is fairly useful as a definition but fails to mention access to transport. It’s this that plays a part in someone deciding whether or not they live in a food desert. Let’s take top end of Chadwell St. Mary, a mainly working class overspill development to the north of Tilbury as an example. If you have access to a car, you’re a ten minute drive from ASDA down at Tilbury and just over…