Cities and Their Reliance on the Rural

There’s a good chance you or someone you know is living in a food desert. But looking out your window, you may not see any sand or snow. So, what exactly does this mean? A food desert refers to areas where people lack access to fresh, affordable food, whether it’s grown nearby or sold locally. Without modern transportation and logistics, these regions would face severe hunger or malnutrition.

The United States is a vast country, ranking third in both land and population. As such, we tend to value space, opting for urban sprawl and suburbs over the more condensed living arrangements common in European cities. This sprawl, however, has a dual impact on our food systems.

The Impact of Urban Sprawl

First, local grocery stores are often pushed out of neighborhoods, which has a number of effects when this happens. The smaller stores that are typically run by people within the community are out of work. You lose the unique culture and selection often provided by them. And the new superstores are too large to be built in the neighborhoods so they need to be placed on the edge of town along the interstate or another high-traffic location.

Second, as cities expand, the areas suitable for farming become increasingly distant. Concrete and asphalt are not conducive to growing crops, so the more urbanized areas become, the further the farms are pushed, making the transportation of food to cities even more critical. And so fresh meats and produce become unimaginable for most in larger urban areas because of the increased cost of delivering them in time before being spoiled.

The Issue of Transportation and Logistics

So, what’s the problem if trucks continue to deliver food to urban areas? Like stated above the growing distance between farm and store and store to you will make fresh health staples for food more unaffordable than they already are. Make the processed, frozen, and preserved food the best option for most. Having grown up rural myself I can tell you firsthand that the foods you eat from a city supermarket do not taste nearly as good as it does fresh.

And as we saw during the COVID-19 pandemic, supply chains can halt unexpectedly. The first reaction for many in this situation was to stockpile—an understandable instinct, as it’s crucial to be able to care for yourself and your loved ones in a crisis. So with the food changing hands at several steps along the way, there is a built-in delay from harvest to sale. But look at things like grains, especially rice, which can last for months if stored properly. But once you’ve built up a sufficient stockpile, what comes next?

Sustainability in Crisis Situations

After the stockpile runs out, replenishing supplies can become difficult. A person can only tolerate plain rice and MREs for so long. In such cases, a garden or other sustainable options can provide fresh food, even under suboptimal conditions, offering variety and much-needed nutrients. Building up your own network with others and investing in your local community has been a proven way to weather any storm. However, if you’re concerned about becoming a target due to your garden, it’s worth noting that if you’re this deep into prepping, your neighbors probably already know you as the “prepper,” whether you’ve made it obvious or not. So talk with them and try to build a strong network with those around you.

What You Can Do

So, what should I do and where do I start? Maybe try saying “hi” to your neighbor. You know, the person that lives next to you who you may have only said two words to in the past four months. It may be obvious for some but these are the people you will be relying on in the immediate aftermath of any calamity. Or as put more succinctly “Do not forsake your friend or the friend of your parent; do not go to the house of your kindred in the day of your calamity. Better is a neighbor who is nearby than kindred who are far away.” Proverbs 27:10

But if you want a more tangible answer. Start by stocking up on canned goods and grains, like rice and other simple grains. Then have either a source of fresh water or a way to purify water. Begin a garden, even if it’s small, and talk to any nearby farmers to build a local network. In times of crisis, relying on each other is crucial—no one is truly an island.

Cole, Thomas. The Course of Empire. 1833-36, Oil on Canvas New York Historical Society, New York.

Check out other Videos & Articles