Redesigning Food Access: A Strategy for Equitable Nutrition in Cincinnati

Role

Strategy & Research

Category

Design Strategy

Date

Nov '24 - Dec '24

Tools Used

Miro, Canva

Conducted design research to explore barriers to food access in Cincinnati’s low-income neighborhoods and food deserts, focusing on user-centered insights and community engagement.


Developed strategic interventions and prototypes to improve access to affordable, nutritious food, addressing geographic gaps, food education, and social stigma.


Credits: Ciara Potter, Oluwafunmilola Fasan, Mario (Mark) Bermejo

Breif

Hunger is a simple feeling understood by many, yet it is also an incredibly complex issue affecting billions of people worldwide. The main drivers of hunger today include conflict, climate change, and economic crises.

In Cincinnati, 3 in 10 people don’t know the source of their next meal, and 60 million pounds of food is wasted per year in Hamilton County.

-According to the Cincinnati Enquirer

Food Deserts

Food insecure areas lacking access to healthy and affordable food and is defined by weighing factors such as income level, proximity to grocery stores, and access to transportation.

Areas that are low income (poverty rate is greater than or equal to 20%) and where 33% or more of the population lacks a grocery store within 1 mile for urban areas and within 10 miles for rural areas

Secondary Research

Current State of Food Desserts in Cincinnati

Geographical Disparities


Cincinnati has distinct geographic food deserts, especially in low-income neighborhoods, where residents struggle with access to fresh food due to fewer grocery stores and limited affordable food options nearby.

Transportation Challenges:


Many residents in Cincinnati lack reliable transportation, making it hard to access grocery stores located further from low-income areas, which worsens the accessibility issue.

Policy and Economic Incentives


The city is working on policies to attract grocery stores to underserved areas. Economic incentives like tax breaks are being explored to address food access in Cincinnati's food deserts.

Health and Economic


Limited access to nutritious food in Cincinnati neighborhoods is linked to increased rates of diet-related health conditions like obesity and diabetes, which also contribute to higher local healthcare costs.

Community Initiatives


Cincinnati is seeing a rise in urban farming projects and community gardens as grassroots efforts to improve local food accessibility. These initiatives aim to provide fresh produce while promoting local involvement and ownership.

Reliance on Convenience Stores


In Cincinnati’s underserved areas, convenience stores are often the primary food source

Primary Research

  • Bearcat Pantry
    Interview

    Identified barriers affecting the ability to access healthy and affordable food by UC students:

    Low-income families: Many pantry users come from low-income backgrounds, making them rely on supplemental food resources for basic needs.

    More liquor stores than food stores in food deserts: In food deserts, grocery options are scarce, while liquor stores are more prevalent, limiting students’ access to healthy food options.

    Limited grocery access: The scarcity of stores offering fresh, affordable foods within this locale increases dependency on pantries. Kroger and Walmart are the closest we have here.

    Factors

    Social inequality: Economic and social disparities contribute to unequal access to food resources.

    Limited Outreach: Most students who can benefit from these resources don’t know about the Bearcat pantry.

    Stigmatization: Social stigma discourages some student from using pantry services which impacts food accessibility.

  • Interview With
    D.J. TrisChler

    Insights

    There is enough food in Price Hill but it is not evenly distributed. Many people do not have access to it.

    There are lower driving rates causing people to walk and take the bus to the grocery store which makes them susceptible to robbery attacks.

    There is stigma of being seen getting help from a pantry and the experience is often given more layers, for e.g.: religious talk.

    This issue of stigma could be approached through the journey and the “performance” through the system.

    Factors

    Social inequality: Economic and social disparities contribute to unequal access to food resources.

    Limited Outreach: Most students who can benefit from these resources don’t know about the Bearcat pantry.

    Stigmatization: Social stigma discourages some student from using pantry services which impacts food accessibility.

  • Interview With
    Renee Mahaffey Harris, CEO

    Insights

    Cincinnati struggles as a food desert with limited access to affordable, nutritious food.

    The traditional grocery store model faces challenges, like low profit margins, theft, and inventory issues, making it hard to operate in these areas.

    Grocery stores ideally should be within 2.4 miles of residents, but dispersed housing and limited public transport hinder access.


    Order and delivery options are costly, often unaffordable for low-income communities.

    Food assistance programs exist but carry stigma, discouraging use.

  • Closing the Health Gap Community Quantitative Report Insights

    65% of healthy food items available, however only 20% of fresh foods (vegetables, fruits, lean luncheon meats, or dairy) available. Nearly all (97%) of the available fruits and vegetables were in good condition (firm/crisp, little damage, good color, no dirt). Observers rated inside the store as safe, however there is a busy bus stop outside the store

    42% of healthy food items available. Apples, oranges, and bananas were the only fresh fruits, but were rated in good condition. 39% of whole grain items available

    No fresh foods available. 20% of healthy canned items available, but 100% of these were rated as old and dirty. Researchers observed loitering outside the store; Environment was rated unsafe

    Among the fast food and takeout restaurants, only two of 12 offered at least 30% of the recommended healthy foods and only one of the six convenience/general goods stores met this relatively low standard.

  • Community Efforts

    Freezing and Food Storage Education: Teaching residents how to plan ahead and store food can improve food longevity and nutritional choices.

    Health and Nutrition Training: “Closing the Health Gap” promotes strategies that educate residents on nutrition, canned goods usage, and food preparation.

    Community-Driven Initiatives: Conducting participatory research within the community to identify their priorities, recruiting community members as ambassadors, and forming partnerships with local government.

    Collaborations with Schools - Issues particularly around health, collaborating with school and educating children creates opportunities to promote healthy eating habits.

Identifying the Problems

  • Problem 1:
    Stigma around Food Assistance

    Problem: Many people avoid utilizing food assistance due to the stigma associated with seeking the service. This stigma creates barriers to accessing food resources, resulting in unmet needs for people who could benefit from these services.

  • Problem 2:
    SAfety Issues

    Problem: There are areas in Cincinnati where there are lower driving rates causing challenges in food mobility and access to grocery stores. Safety and security are also compromised in areas where there are higher crime rates and the chances of being robbed on the streets are higher. (Lower Price Hill crime rates are 192% higher than the national average (www.areavibes.com))

  • Problem 3:
    Health Issues prevailing in food deserts

    Problem: People often depend on convenience stores and fast-food places, where options are usually high in sugar, salt, unhealthy fats, and calories. This lack of healthy food leads to serious health problems like nutrition deficiency, obesity, diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, and digestion issues. These physical health issues can also contribute to mental health struggles, like depression and anxiety, which are worsened by the stress of living in these conditions.

  • Problem 4:
    Food and Nutrition Education

    Problem: In Greater Cincinnati, access to quality food and nutrition education is limited, particularly in low-income and food desert areas. Many residents lack essential knowledge about healthy eating, grocery budgeting, and meal preparation, which contributes to higher rates of diet-related health issues, such as obesity, diabetes, and heart disease.

Final Problem
Statement

Many low-income neighborhoods in Cincinnati, especially food deserts, struggle to access affordable, nutritious food due to geographic disparities, limited transportation, and reliance on convenience stores. Social stigma around food assistance, safety concerns, and lack of food education make the issue worse. This leads to higher rates of diet-related health issues, mental health struggles, and dependence on food resources, highlighting the need for equitable solutions to improve food access and community resilience.

Concept Ideation

  • Concept 1:
    Mobile Food Truck Pop-Up Events

    Deploy mobile food trucks offering affordable, pre-packaged meal kits that include clear nutritional labels, practical food storage tips for extending freshness, and simple recipes prepared using food bank resources. These trucks would set up at pop-up events in food desert areas, providing convenient access to healthy food options.

  • Concept 2:
    Cultural Events with Food Access Initiatives

    Create vibrant community events featuring local artists, DJs, and storytellers to destigmatize food assistance. These events would offer affordable produce boxes, mobile food trucks serving healthy meals, and interactive storytelling campaigns to normalize food assistance and encourage participation in local food systems.

  • Concept 3:
    Community Urban Farms and Gardening Programs

    Establish urban farms or community gardens in food desert neighborhoods to grow fresh produce. Engage children and community members in gardening programs that teach essential skills, foster a sense of ownership, and promote sustainable food systems.

  • Concept 4:
    Grocery Shuttle and Route Tracking App

    Develop a user-friendly mobile app that provides real-time information about grocery stores, shuttle services, and bus routes. This app would help residents in food deserts plan and access transportation options for grocery shopping more effectively.

  • Concept 5:
    Pre-Packaged Meal Kits with Nutrition Education

    Develop a user-friendly mobile app that provides real-time information about grocery stores, shuttle services, and bus routes. This app would help residents in food deserts plan and access transportation options for grocery shopping more effectively.

Final Concept

Avondine

Our concept is designed to make healthy eating convenient and accessible. We transform food bank donations into thoughtfully prepared meal kits, complete with clear nutritional information, practical storage tips, and easy-to-follow recipes. These kits are delivered to subscribed households, with monthly events hosted in Avondale to foster community engagement and promote wellness, removing stigma around healthy eating and food assistance.

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