Area bereft of grocery stores - NYT Crossword Clue

Introduction

Today's clue, "Area bereft of grocery stores," is a great example of how modern crossword puzzles draw from contemporary social and economic terminology. This isn't a clue that relies on tricky wordplay, but rather on your knowledge of a specific, important concept. Let's break down how to arrive at the answer.

Clue Analysis

The clue is a straightforward definition. Let's dissect it:

• "Area": A geographical location, a neighborhood, or a community.
• "bereft of": Lacking, deprived of, or without.
• "grocery stores": Places that provide access to fresh and affordable food.

Putting it all together, the clue is asking for the specific term used to describe a community that lacks access to healthy food options. The answer is a compound term that has become common in public health and urban planning discussions.

Thinking Approaches

There are a couple of ways to tackle this clue:

1. Direct Knowledge: If you're familiar with urban studies or public health news, the term might immediately come to mind. It's a concept that has received significant media attention over the past couple of decades.

2. Word Association / Deconstruction: If the term isn't on the tip of your tongue, you can build it from the clue's components.

   • What is the primary thing grocery stores provide? FOOD. This is likely the first part of the answer.
   • What is a metaphor for a place that is barren and lacks a vital resource (like water)? A DESERT.
   • Combining these two ideas gives you the complete term.

3. Using Crossings: For a longer answer like this, crossing letters are your best friend. If you can fill in even a few letters from other clues, a compound word that seems elusive can suddenly become obvious. For example, seeing F_O_D______T might be all you need to trigger the correct answer.

Background Context

The term FOOD DESERT describes an urban or rural area where it is difficult to buy affordable or good-quality fresh food. These areas are often characterized by a high concentration of fast-food restaurants and convenience stores, but a lack of full-service supermarkets.

The concept is significant because it highlights issues of public health, poverty, and systemic inequality. Limited access to nutritious food is linked to higher rates of obesity, diabetes, and other health problems. You can learn more about this topic on its Wikipedia page. Its inclusion in the NYT Crossword reflects the puzzle's commitment to staying current with relevant social issues.

Conclusion

This clue serves as a reminder that a broad vocabulary, extending beyond traditional dictionary words to include modern socio-economic terms, is a powerful tool for any crossword solver. By recognizing the clue as a direct definition and using association or crossing letters, you can confidently fill in this impactful term.

Hints

1. Hint 1: This term is often used in discussions of public health and urban planning.
2. Hint 2: It uses a geographical metaphor to describe a lack of resources.
3. Hint 3: The first word is what's missing, and the second is a barren, arid landscape.
4. Hint 4: It's a two-word concept, often written as a single compound word in crosswords, that describes a place where fresh sustenance is scarce.