Date of Award

2013

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Department

Earth & Environmental Systems

Abstract

How does the rural landscape impact accessibility to healthy food options and, in turn, the health of residents? There is a great deal of evidence suggesting that sparse rural landscapes are important factors in shaping how, or if, people can readily obtain fresh and healthy food. Although the economies of many rural areas, including Southern Illinois, are heavily reliant upon agriculture, some groups may not have equal access to healthy foods, even though they may conduct most of their daily activities surrounded by acres of agricultural fields. For many rural residents, the simple act of buying groceries can pose serious challenges, as increased distances to grocery stores, travel times on unimproved roads, and transportation costs all serve as barriers to accessing fresh and healthy food. This research looks at the distribution of a comprehensive list of food outlets in 34 rural counties in Southern Illinois, painting a complete picture of how grocery, temporal, and convenience food outlets operate in the food systems of rural communities. Food systems in rural areas are far more complex than the way they are represented in much of the contemporary literature, and understanding these systems requires an inclusive view of the food options local residents have at their disposal. Ultimately, it is determined that through the use of this comprehensive outlook on food access, combined with powerful geospatial technology, a better understanding of food access and the hazards associated with food accessibility in rural areas can be reached.

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