Introduction To Food Deserts

Watsonville, California is renowned for its fertile agricultural valley, abundant with a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables. Despite, the the areas reputation, people of low-income still struggle to find sufficient food and accessibility to stores nearby. food deserts are areas where residents have limited access to affordable, nutritious food options, especially fresh fruits, vegetables, and whole foods. 

Food deserts often lack supermarkets or grocery stores, leaving residents to rely on convenience stores and or fast-food outlets with fewer healthy choices. Food deserts are most common in low-income urban neighborhoods and rural areas, where transportation and economic barriers further restrict access to healthy food.

Understanding Food Deserts in Watsonville

Watsonville’s diverse population falls victim to a limited amount of healthy food choices that are provided by grocery stores and supermarkets. Food deserts are dangerous for the community because it negatively impacts the health of residents physically and psychologically. Since organic produce and healthy fruits and vegetables are sold at a higher price, this raises the concern for the affordability of groceries.

Communities classified as food deserts often depend on chain organizations that provide cheap, high-calorie meals. The irony is that Watsonville, surrounded by vast agricultural production, sees much of its food shipped around the world. One of the largest producers of berries globally, Driscoll’s, is headquartered in Watsonville. As a multi-billion-dollar corporation, Driscoll’s faces competition from other local farms, such as Naturipe Farms, in this thriving agricultural hub.

Geographic and Transportation Barriers

Lack of reliable transportation, such as a personal vehicle, make it difficult to travel long distances to access organic food. Healthy food options are often located in north county, requiring the convenience of a personal vehicle. In Watsonville, many organic and health-focused stores are miles away, while the nearest supermarkets and convenience stores tend to offer unhealthy products. If healthy, organic stores were located closer to low-income housing, more individuals would likely choose better food options. According to the map below, Watsonville residents live at least half a mile to 10 miles away from the closest supermarket or convenience store.

Economic Barriers and Health Implications

Many low-income residents avoid purchasing organic food due to its higher cost. The price of organic items is often double that of conventionally grown alternatives. As a result, many low-income individuals can only afford calorie-dense, highly processed foods that are considered unhealthy, which can lead to health issues such as diabetes and heart disease.

Unhealthy foods can lead to a range of physical health issues that impact one's life, but they can also contribute to significant mental health problems. There is a known connection between obesity and depression, which can worsen overall health. In downtown Watsonville, approximately 70% of the population lives below 185% of the federal poverty level, making it difficult for many to afford healthy food options (Santa Cruz Health). As of 2019-2023, the average household income for Watsonville residents is $74,785 (U.S. Census). while the average cost of groceries for a family of four in California is $1,288 (Sofi).

Local Solutions and Opportunities

To improve access to fresh, local produce and support community health, several initiatives are being proposed to enhance food security, particularly for low-income areas. These efforts aim to bring healthy food closer to residents while addressing financial barriers.

Personal goals to start a seconds CSA/farmstand in collab with LEF

This initiative seeks to expand access to fresh, locally grown produce through a second Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) or farmstand, in partnership with LEF (Local Environmental Foundation). This will help ensure that more residents can access affordable and healthy food directly from farmers.

Local farmers to include SNAP/EBT benefits as payment

By enabling local farmers to accept SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) and EBT (Electronic Benefits Transfer) benefits as payment, more low-income families will be able to purchase fresh, nutritious food. This ensures that financial constraints do not prevent families from making healthier food choices.

New ideas of Medical Box prescription

This concept explores providing patients with fresh produce through medical prescription boxes, promoting healthier living. Similar to the VeggieRx program, which partners with healthcare providers to deliver produce to those with chronic conditions like diabetes or heart disease, these boxes aim to improve health through diet.

Community Gardens and Urban Farms

Introducing or expanding community gardens can benefit those that may not have the resources to afford healthy fruits and vegetables. Local organizations and volunteers can maintain and promote these spaces which would keep the energy up and the community banded together.

Farmers' Markets and Mobile Markets

Expanding farmers' markets and or creating mobile markets could help bring fresh produce directly into underserved neighborhoods. This would directly bring the organic produce to the community rather than going to the store.

Education and Outreach Programs

It would be really important to educate people on how crucial it is to eat organic healthy fruits and vegetables. Whether youth or elderly, everyone deserves to have the opportunity to learn about where their food comes from.

Conclusion

In Watsonville’s diverse and beautiful community, it is essential to address the food deserts and issues surrounding the low-income residents. Being able to help them have more opportunities to have healthy food would create them to live in a healthy community full of liveliness. It takes the whole community to come together to end the fight on starvation and poor nutrition. It all starts with us to provide the opportunity to have affordable and healthy food in our community.

Sources:

Santa Cruz County Health Services Agency. (2012). Downtown Watsonville Snapshot. Retrieved from https://www.santacruzhealth.org/Portals/7/Pdfs/Downtown%20Wats%20Snapshot.pdf

SoFi. (n.d.). Cost of Living in California. Retrieved from https://www.sofi.com/cost-of-living-in-california/

PV Health Trust. (n.d.). VeggieRx. Retrieved February 19, 2025, from https://pvhealthtrust.org/veggierx/

https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/watsonvillecitycalifornia/INC110223