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Ultra-processed food linked to harm in every major human organ, study finds
(www.theguardian.com)
this post was submitted on 19 Nov 2025
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There are absolutely millions in poverty in developed countries like the US who do not have any ability to buy fresh food.
Being able to eat healthily is a privilege in 2025, which is fucking disgusting, but absolutely true.
There are towns in America where the only place for a hundred miles they can buy food is a dollar store. These shops don't typically stock anything fresh or particularly healthy.
The people there will be too poor to live anywhere else and might be working multiple jobs (as is typical in American poverty) so will not have time/energy to attempt to grow anything themselves
We are lucky that we can eat healthily, but don't let yourself think that's a choice everyone gets
Rural dwelling pedant here: Dollar General is not a dollar store. Dollar Tree is, but Dollar General is a garbage store with regular-ass prices. They only stock shit and the prices are often higher than regular grocery stores.
It's the only food store my town has and it sucks so bad. At least Dollar Stores are affordable.
What do you mean there are no such things as farmer's markets?
What do you mean there are no such things as other grocery chains that isn't Wal-Mart, Kroger .etc?
Now I know there are maybe some small towns with a Dollar General or a Dollar Tree in them, but that is discrediting the fact that there are still alternatives here and there. Don't pretend they don't exist.
Besides, why the fuck would anyone want to live in the smack of no where? Haven, Kansas is one of those places, don't be surprised.
Exactly that, it's all in the article.
The only shop is a dollar store.
All these things you expect are absolutely not a given everywhere.
Predominantly because they don't have the wealth or income necessary to live anywhere else in most cases. Y'know because of the poverty..?
It's about access. You can still have stores around and still be in a food desert. I did research on this while in grad school. You're discounting indigent populations ability to navigate to stores with fresh food. Imagine you're a single mom with 2 kids. How easy is it for you to get to the Walmart that is 4 miles away by bus?
Do you expect people to have availability to go to the farmers market on Saturday morning? They would have to make a coordinated effort to travel with a kid, or find coverage so they could go to the farmers market. Do you think all small towns have easily accessible farmers markets that are priced in a way that the less fortunate can afford the produce?
Beyond that, folks tend to gravitate towards easily accessible or ready made food (e.g., microwaveable). You're also assuming that everyone has familiarity with those ingredients and has bandwidth/willing to learn to cook. While most people do learn at some point, it can still be a barrier.
When you say "why would someone want to live in the middle of nowhere," some people don't have a choice and have geographic/work/family/community ties in small towns that lack resources.
Your response is flippant and disregards the reality of the situation.
What world do you live in where farmers markets are affordable? It's just an outdoor Whole Foods.