Food apartheid
fuːd əˈpɑːrthaɪd
Food apartheid describes the systemic inequities in food accessibility caused by structural racism and intentional policies, not geographic location or natural occurrence.
Full Explanation
Food apartheid is a term that reframes issues of inequitable food access by emphasizing the role of systemic racism, discriminatory policies and intentional social structures rather than suggesting these disparities are natural or accidental.
Coined by food justice activists, particularly Karen Washington, this term challenges the passive language of "food desert" by highlighting how historical practices like redlining, discriminatory zoning laws, disinvestment in communities of color and targeted marketing of unhealthy foods have deliberately created nutritional inequities.
Food apartheid acknowledges that limited access to healthy, affordable food in certain communities, predominantly Black, Indigenous, low-income communities and communities of color, is not a coincidence. It is rather the result of structural decisions that favor some neighborhoods while marginalizing others.
This framework shifts the conversation from simple geographic scarcity to one of food justice, human rights and accountability for systemic discrimination.
Why It Matters
The term food apartheid matters because language shapes how we understand and address problems. By naming the intentional, systemic nature of food inequity, it calls for accountability from institutions, governments and corporations rather than treating these disparities as unfortunate geographic circumstances. This reframing highlights the experiences and agency of affected communities. It connects food accessibility to broader struggles for racial justice and human rights, recognizing food as a fundamental need that has been weaponized through discriminatory practicies. Understanding food apartheid encourages solutions that address root causes such as structural racism, wealth inequality and power imbalances.
Example
When examining food access across 202 US cities, researchers found that historically redlined neighborhoods had reduced access to grocery stores today compared to formerly 'desirable' neighborhoods. Decades of discriminatory housing practices, disinvestment and institutional racism had prevented quality food retailers from serving communities of color, illustrating food apartheid where policy or corporate decisions created widely different food landscapes based on race and class.
Common Misconceptions
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"It's just a more dramatic term for food desert". Food apartheid specifically highlights systemic racism and intentionality; food desert suggests geographic scarcity
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"The term is exaggerated". The comparison to apartheid is deliberate, emphasizing how systems segregate and discriminate based on race and class
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"It only refers to lack of grocery stores". It includes broader issues such as targeted marketing of unhealthy and non-nutritious food products, environmental racism and economic exploitation