People living below the poverty line are four times more likely to have difficulty accessing affordable, healthy foods.
While overall, 16% of individuals in our community lack access to healthy foods, the percentage significantly increases when looking at those living below the poverty line.
The USDA measures access by food deserts — areas (census tracts) where at least 1 in 5 people are living below the poverty line and at least one-third of people are more than a mile from the nearest grocery store.
We have a higher percentage of people living in food deserts than the national average. The Omaha-Council Bluffs area has a high concentration of food deserts — specifically in the northeast and southeast sections of Omaha, and western portions of Council Bluffs. Nine percent of our neighbors are living in a food desert while only 4% of all Americans live in food deserts.
About the Data
This quick look at the Health comes from The Landscape, a set of thoughtfully collected data that provides a snapshot of our community today and reveals the areas where we could improve the quality of life.
By combining comprehensive, publicly available data with insight and knowledge from nonprofits and residents, The Landscape is a community resource that can help set priorities, identify areas for collaboration, and inform decision-making on investments.
Data Sources: USDA Food Access Research Atlas