Accessibility of the Halifax population to grocery stores and fast food outlets based on socio-economic status

Abstract

The purpose of this thesis was to determine accessibility to grocery stores and fast food outlets of the disadvantaged population of Halifax. Socio-economic data on dissemination areas was obtained from Statistics Canada and index scored were generated. The criteria used from Statistics Canada were that of age, household income, unemployment, and prevalence of lone parent households. The disadvantaged dissemination areas walking and driving accessibility was than compared to both chain grocery stores and chain fast food outlets in Halifax. The analysis found that just fewer than 50% of the disadvantaged dissemination areas did not have walking access to grocery stores. The analysis also found that of the areas that lacked walking access to grocery stores, 69.2% had 20 minute walking access to fast food outlets.