What is the E-Food Desert Index
The e-food desert index (EFDI) is a composite measure for Great Britain that assesses how neighbourhoods experience barriers to accessing groceries. It combines four key factors: the availability and proximity of physical grocery stores, transport and accessibility, local socio-economic and demographic conditions, and the availability and use of online grocery (home delivery) services.
By incorporating data on both online grocery provision and people’s likelihood to shop online, the EFDI highlights a newer form of inequality, “e-food deserts.” These are typically rural or remote areas where residents face limited access to both physical shops and online delivery options, compounding challenges already seen in more traditionally deprived areas.
How to use the E-Food Desert Index
- Explore the e-food desert index map to quickly identify areas experiencing barriers to accessing groceries
- Download the e-food desert index data for your own analysis – available at LSOA (England and Wales) and Data Zones (Scotland)
How to access the E-Food Desert Index
Explore the e-food desert map
Download the e-food desert data
Please note: England & Wales are scored, ranked and allocated to deciles separately to Scotland due to slight differences in the way three of the input variables are calculated in Scotland. This means that the index cannot be used to directly compare the score, rank or decile group between LSOAs in England and Wales and Data Zones in Scotland. However, it remains a robust resource for comparison between LSOAs and DZs within England & Wales or Scotland, and as a tool to explore groceries accessibility by small area or area type GB-wide.
