Unplanned Food Access

Abstract

Problem, research strategy, and findings

U.S. suburbs have increasingly diversified in the past 2 decades. Most working-class and lower income immigrant households settle in older suburbs of metro regions, reversing their decline. In this study I examined the multifaceted contribution of immigrant food entrepreneurs toward the wellbeing of a multiethnic, working-class suburb (Upper Darby, PA). This mixed-methods study relied on historical research, a survey, and field observation to explore how immigrant-run food stores shaped the food environment. The historical research examined the contribution of immigrant food businesses to vacancy and food access over time and found that persistent operation, ownership, and business transfer of ethnic food businesses stabilized the community and provided continuous access to food. A cross-sectional survey of a sample of residents demonstrated that ethnic food businesses contributed to the diversity and density of the food environment, creating a healthier environment and enabling residents to navigate it according to their needs, preferences, and budgets. The sample size was relatively small (n = 115) for this exploratory research design. Insufficient data points and large number of explanatory variables posed challenges for some statistical tests (e.g., multinomial logistic regression), which did not yield strong results.

Takeaway for practice

Community development stakeholders, including planners, recognize newcomers’ contributions toward labor markets and local economies but have paid less attention to the health effects of immigrant revitalization. This study’s findings call planners’ attention to equitable development practices, such as creating economic inclusion pathways for immigrant populations, as an important strategy to invest in equitable, multicultural, and healthy communities.

Keywords:

• equitable development
• healthy food environment; immigrant food businesses
• immigrant-led revitalization

Acknowledgments

This research would not have been possible without the help and support of Upper Darby immigrant business owners and community members. Special thanks to Rajinder Kaur, Navleen Kaur, Hang Tang, Xiaowei Zang, Sarah Oh, Sa Min Han, Rene Zelaya, Somali Bosteen, and Ferdous Jahan for their help with translation and recruitment. Deep gratitude to Dr. Domenic Vitiello for his invaluable insight and feedback in shaping and refining this research. I extend thanks to Dr. Samina Raja for providing feedback on an early draft of this article.

Supplemental Material

Supplemental data for this article is available online at https://doi.org/10.1080/01944363.2022.2094450.

Additional information

Funding

This research was partially funded by the University of Pennsylvania’s Center for the Study of Ethnicity, Race and Immigration.

Notes on contributors

Maryam Khojasteh

MARYAM KHOJASTEH ([email protected]) is an urban planning scholar and program officer at the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The research was conducted at the Department of Urban and Regional Planning of the University of Pennsylvania.