A city's response to food deserts was investigated during summer 1998 and reviewed in the light of more recent Health Improvement Plan (HImP) and Health Action Zone (HAZ) initiatives. Key stakeholders were identified and interviewed in depth, and semi-structured questionnaires were sent to locally represented supermarket chains. Tackling food deserts appeared to be on the periphery of key stakeholders' agendas, with work to date being characterised by a piecemeal approach, over-reliance on community development, and underfunding. An inclusive approach, focusing both on aspects of poverty and the food system, and on involving communities, the public and private sectors, is suggested. Recent HAZ and HImP initiatives provide scope to progress in this direction.
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