“Food deserts” exist because every urban supermarket I see that goes up closes within a couple of years because they are literally robbed blind by their “customers.” But you have to understand. That’s OUR fault!
Compare the urban immigrant Mexican area with the urban natural born American area. Same with suburban contrast.
My wife shops at the Mexican Supermercado. 40% of the store is fresh food. 10% is milk-baloney-eggs. 10% is beans, rice and dry raw food to be cooked. 10% is cooking pots for and items for real cooking. Under 1% is frozen food. Under 1% is chips and candy.
Watch the cash register line. Under 10% of these very poor people use EBT/SNAP/WIC. In contrast stand in line at the Wallmart I buy at. 90% of the sales are Benefit cards. And 99% of the customers are Natural Born Americans.
I think you ought to look further. Every home town grocery store that has been forced to close is because a WalMart came in and underpriced them greatly.
I have never seen anyone shop lift food though I have heard many do that.