Overwhelmingly, Americans drive to the grocery store and they usually don’t go to the store nearest to their homes, even if they have to walk, take a bus or get a ride with someone else, says a USDA study. Researchers looked into the question because of concern about “food deserts” and whether food-stamp recipients have access to healthy food. On average, 88 percent of people drove their own vehicle to the grocery store; the figure was 68 percent for food-stamp recipients and 98 percent for non-recipients. Nineteen percent of food-stamp households get a ride or borrow someone else’s car. Thirteen percent walk, bicycle or use public transit.
On average, people go to a store that is 3.8 miles from home, although other stores are closer. Food-stamp households don’t travel quite as far, 3.4 miles, although the nearest store authorized to accept food stamps is 2 miles from home. Nine out of 10 households shop at supermarkets or supercenters. For recipients who walk, bicycle or use public transit, their store of choice, on average, is 0.9 miles from home although a store that accepts food stamps is half a mile away.