Michelin-starred chef Geoffrey Zakarian has challenged the notion of "food deserts" in the United States, asserting that technological advancements have made healthy food accessible to nearly everyone, regardless of location. Zakarian believes that the primary obstacle to healthy eating is no longer geography but rather personal habits and a lack of effort.
"You're not in a food desert — this is the United States of America," Zakarian stated during a recent interview. "You've got Instacart. You can get anything you want all the time."
The U.S. Department of Agriculture defines food deserts as communities with limited access to affordable, healthy food retailers, based on income and proximity to supermarkets. However, Zakarian pointed to the proliferation of services like Instacart, launched in 2012, as evidence that online ordering has overcome previous geographic limitations. "Everyone has an iPhone. Everyone has an ability to order food," he said, suggesting that technology has effectively bridged the gaps that federal data highlights.
While acknowledging that affordability remains a concern, with grocery prices having risen 32% over the past five years according to the Urban Institute, Zakarian emphasized planning and prioritizing home cooking. He suggested that the convenience of prepared meals often comes at a higher cost than cooking from scratch. "If you can drive to McDonald's, you can go find some place that has fresh food or canned food, or you can order it online," he remarked.
Zakarian advocates for a structured approach to meal preparation for busy families. He recommends grocery shopping twice a week and planning meals in smaller blocks rather than attempting daily cooking without a plan. This method, he noted, can lead to leftovers and a more efficient use of time. "Break it up, and then you have leftovers once in a while sprinkled throughout," he advised. "You’ll be shocked that you have five meals for your kids, plus leftovers. It’s not that hard, but it does take work."
The chef also highlighted the positive emotional benefits of families cooking and eating together, describing the kitchen as a natural hub for connection. "You go to any house, any party, where do we end up? Everyone's in the kitchen," Zakarian said. He believes that investing time in the kitchen fosters a sense of pride that children can carry with them, making them feel a sense of accomplishment when sharing home-cooked meals.