Area bereft of grocery stores

FOODDESERT

Think of a region where fresh produce and healthy food options are scarce, often linked to economic disparities in urban or rural communities.

The clue "Area bereft of grocery stores" points to "FOODDESERT," a term for neighborhoods where fresh, affordable food is hard to find. "Bereft" simply means lacking, so the clue directly describes a place without grocery options. The answer isn’t a literal desert but a social and economic concept, often used in discussions about food access and inequality. Think of it as a "desert" for nutritious food rather than one with sand.