food desert UK /fuːd ˈdɛzə(ɹ)t/US /fud ˈdɛzɚt/ noun1 •(figurative) A populated region where food, especially healthy food, is difficult to obtain.New Orleans' Ninth Ward is what the U.S. Department of Agriculture calls a "food desert." Food deserts are communities with little or no access to healthy food. — 2012 formsfood deserts