What Is the USDA Food Access Research Atlas?
The USDA Food Access Research Atlas (FARA) is a publicly available online tool that maps the availability of supermarkets, grocery stores, and other food outlets across the United States. It was created by the USDA Economic Research Service (ERS) to support research, policy analysis, and community planning around food access and nutrition equity.
- What Is the USDA Food Access Research Atlas?
- How the Atlas Collects and Classifies Data
- Data Sources
- Store Classification Criteria
- Key Metrics and How They Are Calculated
- Using the Atlas for Policy and Planning
- Case Study: Improving Food Access in Rural Appalachia
- Limitations and Caveats
- Future Updates and Enhancements
How the Atlas Collects and Classifies Data
Data Sources
The Atlas pulls data from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS), the USDA's Food Environment Atlas, and the USDA's Food Retailer Database. Each data set provides geographic, demographic, and store-type information that is cross‑referenced to produce a comprehensive picture of food access at the census tract level.
Store Classification Criteria
Stores are categorized by the type of food they sell and their size. The primary categories include:
- Supermarkets/Hypermarkets
- Convenience Stores
- Farmers' Markets
- Food Stands and Vendors
Each category is assigned a "food access score" based on distance, density, and population served.
Key Metrics and How They Are Calculated
| Metric | Verified Detail | Source Type |
|---|---|---|
| Supermarket Density | Number of supermarkets per 10,000 residents within a 1‑mile radius | ERS Data |
| Food Desert Threshold | Population >1,000 residents with >1 mile to a supermarket | USDA Policy Definition |
| Food Access Score | Composite index of distance, density, and store quality | ERS Algorithm |
Using the Atlas for Policy and Planning
Local governments, NGOs, and researchers use FARA to identify underserved areas, plan new retail sites, and evaluate the impact of SNAP and WIC programs. The tool offers downloadable shapefiles and CSVs, enabling GIS analysis and integration with other datasets.
Case Study: Improving Food Access in Rural Appalachia
In 2019, a coalition of state agencies used FARA to map rural food deserts in West Virginia. The analysis revealed that 65% of rural tracts were more than 10 miles from a supermarket. Subsequent policy changes included subsidies for mobile markets and incentives for grocery chains to open stores in high‑need areas.
Limitations and Caveats
While FARA provides a robust foundation, users should be aware of data lag (typically 2–3 years), potential undercounting of small retailers, and the fact that the Atlas does not account for store quality beyond size and type.
Future Updates and Enhancements
The USDA plans to integrate real‑time transaction data from major retailers and expand the Atlas to include international food supply chains. Users are encouraged to subscribe to the ERS newsletter for updates.