One of the biggest reasons Mexico finds itself a victim of malnutrition is due to the scarcity of healthy food in its cities and the ease of access to fast food; these cities are called food deserts.
Mexico in Reality
The city of Santos Reyes Yacuná, Mexico is experiencing these exact conditions, where 96% of its residence has access to fast or processed foods, but only 51% of those same people have access to healthy foods, many of which the residents can’t consistently afford. Meanwhile, towns like Todos Santos in Baja California have little to no access to processed food. The issue lies with the quality of life in Mexico, and the government’s inability to recognize that smaller aspects of people’s lives are responsible. Work schedules, time constraints, prices, personal mobility, safety, product quality, variety, perceptions of customer service, familiarity, and habit are smaller aspects that subtly yet firmly determine why people lean towards a convenient unhealthy option.
What Can Be Done
As a St. Edward’s student in Austin Texas, I was directly involved in the passing of legislation that would address food deserts in practical ways and as a coalition of everyday people. This involved directly contacting members of our local government and telling them the things they needed to hear from ordinary people. Because our problem would have direct and immediate consequences if not addressed, the Austin City Council did the right thing and listened to our solutions, which were to place on public transport, directions to local, fresh and affordable food, as one of the biggest problem for people within food deserts is that people do not know where to go to find fresh food, while this resolution will. I’m hoping that if it means just as much to people in Mexico to live healthier lives, they can see this, because it was a step in the right direction for us.