Is fresh local food equally available in low and high income areas in the City of Asheville? This study seeks to answer this question by examining local food availability across low, moderate, middle, and high income census tracts in the City of Asheville. Census data and data collected at food retailers was analyzed. Census tracts were surveyed for food retailer availability. These food retailers were surveyed for availability of fresh local food. Results reveal that a fewer number of food retailers exist in low and moderate income census tracts than in middle and high income census tracts. Within food retailers across census tracts, there does not appear to be a great variation in the amount or type of fresh local food offered. However, local food appears to be advertised differently depending on the census tract’s level of income and the type of food retailer. Findings indicate a positive correlation between level of income and local food availability.
