Celebrity chef Geoffrey Zakarian has argued that so-called "food deserts" are not the real barrier to healthy eating in America, insisting that most people who can reach a fast-food drive-through also have access to ingredients for a home-cooked meal. Speaking to Fox News Digital at the Great American State Fair, the Michelin-starred chef said the issue is one of habit and effort rather than access, and that modern technology and delivery options have made fresh produce more widely available than commonly assumed.

Zakarian suggested that this shift in access means the conversation around healthy eating should focus more on individual choices and routines rather than location or affordability alone. He also argued that regular home meal preparation can bring practical and social benefits, describing it as something that can help strengthen family life and household habits more broadly.