Comparative Analysis Title
This comparison pertains to the similarities and meager differences of “Why It Takes More Than a Grocery Store to Eliminate a ‘Food Desert’” by Sarah Corapi and “Social Justice Deficits in The Local Food Movement: Local Food and Low-Income Realities” by Ellen Smirl. I chose to compare these two articles because they both shine a light on the corresponding issue between obesity and health problems and the limited access to affordable, healthy foods. The topics are similar considering they both agree on the relation of the lack of food availability to health problems for “low-income, low-access areas” (Corapi, 2014). Despite the fact that the articles focus on different perspectives of the controversy, a forward approach …show more content…
Corapi (2014) concludes that “the problem may not lie solely with food accessibility; it could also be due to people’s shopping and eating habits.” Joe Cortright supports this with research, stating, “the opening of new, healthier supermarkets in neighborhoods has very little effect on what nearby residents eat” (2015). Now looking towards giving education and raising the awareness needed, the authors both reflect on what has been and what can be done. Cummins says his key message is that “they’re just not successful on their own”, “you need good health education programs that teach the skills needed for buying and cooking healthy foods” (Corapi, 2014). Providing evidence of what was previously done to help these families, Smirl (2011) includes that “the North End Food Security Network [approaches] the food needs of community members through” teaching cooking skills and food budgeting and nutritional education. Smirl suggests “using community kitchens and gardens to build skills using education…demonstrating that the involvement of community members themselves is critical in effectively combating” the social issue. This portrays that both authors agree that people need guidance when making shopping and behavioral changes in their …show more content…
Now to look at the big picture, “Why It Takes More Than a Grocery Store to Eliminate a ‘Food Desert’” by Sarah Corapi is a summary of a study of what happened when actions were taken upon this issue paired with an opinionated interview with Steve Cummins. He reveals what he found in the interview with Corapi (2014): people “think that things have gotten better in their neighborhoods, but haven’t necessarily turned their awareness into a change of behavior.” Cummins’ study suggests that “merely adding a grocery store to a neighborhood won’t be enough to motivate individuals to shop there for healthier foods” (Corapi, 2014). He includes opinions on education and awareness, but since his study only lasted for about six months, he cannot reflect on the outcome of educational initiatives. Ellen Smirl’s “Social Justice Deficits in The Local Food Movement: Local Food and Low-Income Realities” includes a lot of information on why this limited access and malnourishment problem came to be in the first place. In 2011, Smirl claims that “the current global food system…externalizes the cost of industrialized agriculture and places environmental degradation, resulting in social injustice [on the shoulders of citizens].” The blame is cast upon the government when Smirl proposes that “pressure must be brought to bear on the government to shift
This comparison pertains to the similarities and meager differences of “Why It Takes More Than a Grocery Store to Eliminate a ‘Food Desert’” by Sarah Corapi and “Social Justice Deficits in The Local Food Movement: Local Food and Low-Income Realities” by Ellen Smirl. I chose to compare these two articles because they both shine a light on the corresponding issue between obesity and health problems and the limited access to affordable, healthy foods. The topics are similar considering they both agree on the relation of the lack of food availability to health problems for “low-income, low-access areas” (Corapi, 2014). Despite the fact that the articles focus on different perspectives of the controversy, a forward approach …show more content…
Corapi (2014) concludes that “the problem may not lie solely with food accessibility; it could also be due to people’s shopping and eating habits.” Joe Cortright supports this with research, stating, “the opening of new, healthier supermarkets in neighborhoods has very little effect on what nearby residents eat” (2015). Now looking towards giving education and raising the awareness needed, the authors both reflect on what has been and what can be done. Cummins says his key message is that “they’re just not successful on their own”, “you need good health education programs that teach the skills needed for buying and cooking healthy foods” (Corapi, 2014). Providing evidence of what was previously done to help these families, Smirl (2011) includes that “the North End Food Security Network [approaches] the food needs of community members through” teaching cooking skills and food budgeting and nutritional education. Smirl suggests “using community kitchens and gardens to build skills using education…demonstrating that the involvement of community members themselves is critical in effectively combating” the social issue. This portrays that both authors agree that people need guidance when making shopping and behavioral changes in their …show more content…
Now to look at the big picture, “Why It Takes More Than a Grocery Store to Eliminate a ‘Food Desert’” by Sarah Corapi is a summary of a study of what happened when actions were taken upon this issue paired with an opinionated interview with Steve Cummins. He reveals what he found in the interview with Corapi (2014): people “think that things have gotten better in their neighborhoods, but haven’t necessarily turned their awareness into a change of behavior.” Cummins’ study suggests that “merely adding a grocery store to a neighborhood won’t be enough to motivate individuals to shop there for healthier foods” (Corapi, 2014). He includes opinions on education and awareness, but since his study only lasted for about six months, he cannot reflect on the outcome of educational initiatives. Ellen Smirl’s “Social Justice Deficits in The Local Food Movement: Local Food and Low-Income Realities” includes a lot of information on why this limited access and malnourishment problem came to be in the first place. In 2011, Smirl claims that “the current global food system…externalizes the cost of industrialized agriculture and places environmental degradation, resulting in social injustice [on the shoulders of citizens].” The blame is cast upon the government when Smirl proposes that “pressure must be brought to bear on the government to shift