Closing the Loop: Addressing Food Insecurity by Redistributing Supermarket Surplus

Supermarket redlining refers to the practice where major chain supermarkets avoid opening stores in or relocate existing stores away from inner cities and low-income neighborhoods. Unlike historical redlining practices in housing, Supermarket redlining is not illegal. However, its effects can significantly impact food security and public health in urban and low-income areas. Supermarket redlining amplifies food insecurity by creating food deserts—areas characterized by limited access to healthy and affordable food options. As a result, low-income neighborhoods often rely on cheaper, less nutritious alternatives, leading to higher rates of obesity, diabetes, and other diet-related health issues. Supermarket redlining occurs in the context where supermarkets generate billions of pounds of consumable food waste each year. The research below explores the relationship between supermarket redlining and food insecurity, evaluates the gaps in existing solutions, and proposes solutions that are scalable and sustainable in the long term. It also examines the impact of supermarket redlining on food access and the role of food waste, and analyzes various nuanced outcomes of supermarket redlining that can result in food insecurity for low-income communities. Finally, it identifies strategies for ensuring equitable access to healthy food for all.