The majority of Black Americans feel at least somewhat insecure about whether the food they buy is safe to eat, according to a new report authored by Christa Mahlobo of Word In Black, a national news outlet and research lab focused on the Black experience.
The report draws from a recent survey of 1,249 Black Americans. While the majority (77 percent) of respondents agreed they have easy access to the food they want to eat, over 60 percent said they are insecure about the country’s food safety, and 46 percent said they strongly agree that U.S. food contributes to diet-related disease.
Notably, 82.2 percent of respondents said they eat meals outside of their home — including fast food, takeout, and restaurants — at least once in a typical week, with 27.2 percent reporting they do so three to four times, 5.1 percent reporting five to six times, and 2.9 percent reporting almost every day. Among Black Americans ages 18 to 34, 41 percent said they eat out three or more times per week, compared to just 22.5 percent of Black Americans over the age of 55.
When asked about what factors they consider when choosing where to shop for food, respondents were most likely to prefer stores that offer reasonably priced food (39.7 percent) and healthy food choices (37.8 percent). Close proximity (10.4 percent) and availability of food that tastes good (6.4 percent) were less likely to impact respondents’ shopping decisions.
Nearly three-quarters of respondents said lowering the cost of fresh fruits, vegetables, and whole foods would make it easier for them to eat more healthily. Some 42 percent said they want more grocery stores or fresh food markets in their neighborhood and 38 percent said there should be more education about food and nutrition.
“Policymakers, community health organizations, and food retailers all have a critical role to play, expanding access to healthy foods through subsidies, investing in culturally relevant nutrition programs, and partnering with trusted community leaders to deliver health education where Black Americans already live, work, worship, and gather,” writes Dr. Mahlobo, insights and research director at Word in Black. “Additionally, strategic public health efforts that center on cultural relevance, address economic inequities, and expand access to nutrition education have the potential to meaningfully improve dietary outcomes.”
Dr. Mahlobo is a research scientist with the University of Pennsylvania and faculty member in the university’s online certificate program in applied positive psychology. She received her bachelor’s degree in kinesiology and human movement science with minors in psychology and chemistry from Louisiana State University and both her master’s degree in recreation, parks, and tourism management and her Ph.D. in human development and family studies from Pennsylvania State University.
