Urban Food Deserts in Lima: Analysis from a Geo-Data-Driven Perspective

Abstract

The rapid expansion of urban areas globally has increased pressure on food systems, resulting in a rise in food deserts. Urban food deserts have been extensively researched in developed economies; however, these issues have been largely overlooked in the Global South. It is essential to mention that food systems and retail chains have a very different composition in developing countries. This is the case in Peru, which has 30% of retail distribution through supermarkets or hypermarkets, called modern retailers. A significant percentage of food distribution occurred via small retailers called nanostores or local supply markets. This study examines the distribution system of healthy foods, specifically fruits and vegetables, from a data-guided approach. To do so, it uses Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to theoretically identify deserts and food, complementing the study with the analysis of clusters carried out based on a survey of nanostores to define different profiles.