The suburban food basket

The role of spatial setting and social context in providing access to healthy food

Dr Shaun Scholes, Prof Jenny Mindell and Prof Laura Vaughan explore how the availability and costs of healthy food baskets vary across spatial location, socio-economic position, and religion or culture in Borehamwood.

Access to healthy food is a basic prerequisite for health. Access depends on availability (retailers’ location, food options sold, prices) and people’s ability to travel there and back. This research investigates the role of spatial setting and social context in providing access to healthy food. The important influence of other destinations and of cultural preferences can be overlooked when defining likely destinations for transport planning.

Findings suggest that in promoting healthy eating and shopping habits amongst certain groups, an understanding of the spatial synergies in daily routines is an important aspect to consider.