In some neighborhoods, it’s easier to buy a gun than an apple. Corner stores line the blocks, packed with chips, liquor, and cigarettes—but no fresh produce in sight. Meanwhile, families travel miles just to find a grocery store, carrying bags of food on long bus rides back home. When we imagine deserts, we typically envision vast, resilient ecosystems—harsh yet full of life. These places, rich in biodiversity, adapt continuously to sustain life despite scarcity (Mabhaudhi et al., 2019). Why then do we label urban neighborhoods as "food deserts," as if food scarcity in these areas is natural or inevitable? The term “food desert” disguises the real and intentional policies of disinvestment that lead to food insecurity. To truly address systemic inequalities, we must reframe the conversation and recognize this crisis for what it is: food apartheid.