Zoning to restrict “fast food” outlets

Many food deserts lack access to affordable fruits, vegetables, whole grains, low-fat milk, and other foods that make up the full range of a healthy diet. With limited access to diverse food groups, communities can be impaired or limited by several factors, such as income, location, time, and the ability to travel to a store. Cheaper, high-calorie and less-nutritious foods are common and favoured, leading to unhealthy habits and increased risk of cardiovascular diseases, type 2 diabetes and obesity. This solution proposes to protect residents who do not have access to diverse food options through zoning regulations. Zoning policies could regulate local food environments through monitoring the land use of a community. This could be for instance, incorporating community food gardens or municipal farmers markets. Zoning laws could also limit commercial food advertising, such as restricting promotion in fast-food businesses that sell foods high in fats, sugars, and salts. This innovation could also propose incentives to these businesses to increase access to healthy food. A diverse food environment, protected by zoning laws could induce local-production and consumption and further reduce emissions from long distance transportation.