In November 2023, Japan’s tallest skyscraper, Azabudai Hills, opened. An increasing number of wealthy people are moving to areas undergoing large-scale development. The phenomenon of wealthy people moving in and changing their living environment is called “gentrification.” There are positive aspects of this phenomenon, such as the expansion of high-end supermarkets, which improve consumption. However, this wave of civilization began to drive out the shops that ordinary people used on a daily basis. Due to soaring land prices, ordinary bakeries, cake shops, delicatessen shops, and other shops selling everyday foods were closing down one after another. While the living environment has improved, there is a shortage of affordable food due to the withdrawal of low-cost stores. People living in public housing near Azabudai Hills and pensioners are starting to run the risk of becoming food deserts.
This food desert was named by the British government. This refers to the phenomenon in which grocery stores are closing down in some areas of urban centers. Food deserts refer to areas that fresh food is difficult to obtain. Residents in this area will be at risk of poor nutritional status and poor health. In addition to the UK, the US government has also been working to help attract supermarkets to food deserts. Many of them ate at fast food restaurants in the city center, and obesity was becoming a problem. Because big cities don’t have affordable food stores. Socially vulnerable groups such as immigrants and unskilled workers are forced to shop at general stores. More than 53 million people in the United States have low incomes and live far from grocery stores.
In addition to difficulty accessing food, one of the reasons for malnutrition among seniors in food deserts appears to be “menu planning.” One way to eliminate this cause is to use the technique of freezing. Buy in bulk, portion it out and freeze it. Even when foods are frozen, their nutritional value does not change much. You always keep about 10 types of frozen vegetables in freezer bags. This is a cooking method that uses frozen vegetables for just one person. Cook wisely for your own health and for society. Combining ingredients flexibly and skillfully preparing meals is a great brain training experience for seniors. Brain activation suppresses aging. If there are more healthy seniors, society will become brighter.
