Final answer:
Vegetarian product availability varies by location and market demand; while only a small percentage of Americans are vegetarians, the organic food market has grown, indicating increased accessibility. Consumer habits and unequal access to nutritious foods can also affect availability, creating 'food deserts' in some areas.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that vegetarian products are currently hard to find is not universally true or false; availability can vary greatly depending on geographic location, market trends, and consumer demand.
Although only about 4 percent of Americans are vegetarians, the worldwide market for organic foods and by extension vegetarian products has seen rapid growth since 2000, with many countries establishing government-regulated certifications for organic food.
Consumer expectations around the availability of certain foods, coupled with heavy marketing of unsustainable foods, do create challenges for a more sustainable dietary shift.
There is a recognized need for an attitude change towards reducing food waste, supporting local produce, and understanding food sourcing.
Additionally, the move towards local and organic food consumption, also known as the 'locavore movement', suggests that vegetarian products may not be as hard to find as some think, especially in certain communities and regions that support these values.
However, access to nutritious and affordable foods including vegetarian options is increasingly unequal, which can create something known as 'food deserts' where healthy and economical food options, including vegetarian and vegan options, are limited. This highlights the complexity of food availability and the diverse factors that influence it.