Fresh Food vs. Fast Food

[Caltovegas]

When considering fast food always consider the person making you food. Do they have on gloves?
That's why I don't fast food too much.

[testa50]

Originally Posted by PKCorey

Its a Publix on Cascade and Camp Creek as well as Kroger on Cascade near 285 and closer to West End on Cascade as well as Cleveland Avenue so ....those are all south of I-20?

I do agree, I don't understand why those 3 stores are not on the Southside. Seems the income level for the area would support the stores easily...

Those Publix are outside of the perimeter--only a little ways, but if you were having to walk it that extra distance would be a major extra pain in the ass. Anyways, whether it's 3 or 4 or 5 or whatever of those two brands combined ITP it certainly pales in comparison to the dozens available north of I-20. My point is the percentage of people who can realistically walk to a Publix or Kroger on the south side is insanely low. On the north side it isn't that great either, but it's much, much better than the south side. Most people on the south side without a car need to take at least one bus to get to a grocery store.

And yes, it seems like the income of Cascade/Camp Creek could potentially support a Whole Foods or something of that nature. But still, they don't open a store for whatever reason, and the problem persists.

[PKCorey]

Originally Posted by Caltovegas

When considering fast food always consider the person making you food. Do they have on gloves?
That's why I don't fast food too much.

Gloves are required in GA and it will be reflected in their score, if they don't wear them.

testa50, I overlooked that you said ITP. My apologies.

The empty Circuit City space at Camp Creek Marketplace could work for one of those stores...

[Mattie]

Originally Posted by Lagwagon113

Well, first of all I don't think anyone is going to McDonalds 7 days a week instead of grocery shopping. However, if you are surrounded by fast food you are more likely to grab something a few times a week for lunch.

It is a class issue as well. I work around a lot of college educated folks and there is a real social stigma about eating fast food. They wouldn't be caught dead in a McDonald's. It is viewed as beneath them.

I have some working class friends as well and its no big deal to stop at a McDonald's because there isn't that social stigma.

Me personally I tend to avoid fast food but I have been known to grab a Big Mac from time to time when I am craving some crappy food. I just don't tell my holier than thou colleagues about it haha.

Then there is also the argument about what is considered fresh food. To some of my colleagues regular grocery stores aren't even good enough. They have to shop at a Whole Foods or another similar type store. These places can be a bit pricey for the average Joe. So maybe the country as a whole should make an effort to make healthy food more affordable and available for everyone.

There is a difference between college educated and college students, however. I can honestly say I never, ever eat fast food, nor do I serve it to my family. That has not stopped my three college-student sons from stopping at Micky D's, Taco Bell, or Hardees, despite my best effort to dissuade them. I would add Waffle House to that mix too.

I live in Milton, a relatively high income area, but one not friendly to fast food outlets, or, it seems, farmers' markets. I would LOVE to have something like the DeKalb market. We need a year-round farmers' market on the north side.

[alinka72]

Originally Posted by atlyoungin

I agree, but then I'd also like to add that the real challenge isn't about the lessons of fresh vs. fast, but the access. Why is there such limited access to fresh food in Southwest Atlanta? I grew up in SW ATL and the unavailability of fresh food was a big reason for me deciding not to live there now. Why isn't there a Fresh Market, Whole Foods or Trader Joes in the Cascades/Camp Creek area?

My point exactly. Places where people cannot afford as much are the places that lack fresh food.

[TakeAhike]

Originally Posted by alinka72

My point exactly. Places where people cannot afford as much are the places that lack fresh food.

Truthfully, I am not that familiar with what might be available in SW Atlanta--surely there are chain grocery stores such as Kroger. It's true--I could go to Whole Foods--not far from my Kroger--I never do.

I have nothing else to add to the discussion. Yes, we can all make better food choices--somehow. I hope we do that.

[arjay57]

Originally Posted by alinka72

My point exactly. Places where people cannot afford as much are the places that lack fresh food.

It's not right that all the places with the best access to fresh food are north of I-20. What's with these grocery stores?

[dgfurman]

If you haven't already, watch the movie "Food, Inc.". It really gets into the whole economy of food, and really explains, very well, why a cheeseburger is $1.00, and a salad will be $5.00 (hence, low income folks buy the less healthy option). It's eye opening, and disturbing.

[kayrob]

Originally Posted by atlyoungin

I agree, but then I'd also like to add that the real challenge isn't about the lessons of fresh vs. fast, but the access. Why is there such limited access to fresh food in Southwest Atlanta? I grew up in SW ATL and the unavailability of fresh food was a big reason for me deciding not to live there now. Why isn't there a Fresh Market, Whole Foods or Trader Joes in the Cascades/Camp Creek area?

I don't think too many businesses are looking to the South as the next hot spot for healthy eating establisments. Not unless a place with deep fried pickles is considered healthy.

[plessthanpointohfive]

This isn't a new phenomenon and it isn't isolated to poor vs affluent urban areas. Rural areas also tend to suffer from the lack of fresh whole foods, which sounds wrong. But it's true. Poor urban areas and rural areas, which also tend to be poor, are where you find the calorie dense, nutrient poor, cheap foods. In affluent areas you find the opposite. This is why poorer people tend to be fatter than affluent people, which is the opposite of "back in the day".

Obesity and Physical Inactivity in Rural America - Patterson - 2006 - The Journal of Rural Health - Wiley Online Library

Obesity and Health Status in Rural, Urban, and Suburban Sout... : Southern Medical Journal

ScienceDirect - Preventive Medicine : Food store availability and neighborhood characteristics in the United States

There was a more recent study that was highlighted in the media, maybe a year or two ago. I think it was even in the AJC, but I couldn't find it, and they talked about just this phenomenon.