A new interactive map casts a spotlight on Ohio’s widening food deserts. While many families feel the strain at the grocery store, the data now makes it official. In January 2026, the Institute for Local Self-Reliance published a national map showing where access to fresh and affordable food is shrinking. Ohio’s gaps are among the most visible.

The group defines an urban food desert as a low-income census tract where at least 500 people—or 33% of residents—live more than a mile from the nearest supermarket. In rural areas, that distance can exceed 10 miles, which becomes a significant challenge without reliable transportation.

The Map Shows a Patchwork of Empty Shelves

Next / Pexels / 60 counties, or 68% of the state, have at least one area that is both a food desert and a pharmacy desert.

However, the problem is not just rural. In Columbus, eight connected census tracts east and north of downtown, including Milo Grogan and Linden, meet the food desert definition. These neighborhoods sit in the shadow of a major city, yet residents still struggle to buy fresh produce close to home.

A 2025 report from the Ohio Association of Community Action Agencies found that 67 of Ohio’s 88 counties have at least one food desert. That means most counties in the state deal with some level of limited grocery access.

Even more concerning, 60 counties, or 68% of the state, have at least one area that is both a food desert and a pharmacy desert. Residents in those areas lack easy access to fresh food and prescription medications at the same time. That mix hits low-income families especially hard.

The health impact shows up in life expectancy data. The report notes a 12-year gap between Ohio’s wealthiest and poorest counties. Nutrition and access to care are part of that story. Statewide, an estimated 1.3 million Ohioans live in food deserts. About 225,000 of them do not have access to a car. That makes a long drive to a supermarket nearly impossible.

How Policy Choices Shaped Today’s Food Deserts

Gus  / Pexels / There's a 12-year gap between Ohio’s wealthiest and poorest counties.

That law required suppliers to offer the same prices to all retailers. When enforcement faded, large grocery chains gained an advantage. They used their size to secure lower wholesale prices than independent stores could get. Chains such as Walmart and Kroger expanded quickly. They could sell items at lower shelf prices, which made it tough for small local grocers to compete.

Over time, many independent stores closed. Their market share fell from more than 50% to about 25%. That shift changed the grocery landscape across Ohio. Once smaller stores disappeared, large chains did not always replace them in every neighborhood. Instead, they built bigger stores in high-traffic areas and expected customers to travel.

For families without reliable transportation, that model breaks down. A one-mile distance in a city can feel much longer when you carry bags on foot or rely on limited bus routes. In rural counties, a 10-mile drive can turn into a 30-minute round-trip.

Federal lawmakers have proposed a broad fix. In March 2025, U.S. Representatives Emilia Sykes and Jennifer McClellan, along with Senator Mark Warner, reintroduced the Healthy Food Access for All Americans Act.

The bill would offer tax credits to encourage grocery stores to open or upgrade locations in underserved areas. It would also provide grants to food banks and temporary food providers such as farmers' markets.