Food deserts are a growing epidemic nationwide. Food deserts affect more than 23.5 million people in the U.S. Although this issue impinges many citizens, very few citizens are familiar with the term or don't even realize they live in a "food desert". Food deserts are communities whose inhabitants are unable to have access to fresh, healthy food within close range of their residence, yet have abundant access to fast food restaurants and convenience stores. Food deserts are normally concentrated in poor, low-income neighborhoods where residents' typical mode of transportation is public transit; making trips to the grocery store rather inconvenient.
Food deserts describe many low-income neighborhoods here in Cincinnati. In Avondale alone, more than 90% of its residents live in a food desert. Councilman Young has a solution for Avondale and other communities lacking in access to healthy, fresh foods: “The most obvious thing is you get grocery stores into these neighborhoods. And if you do that, you can begin to reverse this trend,” Young said. “And then how do you do that? They suggest that it be a partnership between governments… the private sector that work together to bring grocery stores to these neighborhoods.”
Check out this article, courtesy of Cincinnati.com, which gives a more in-depth look at those living in food deserts who struggle with the inconvenience of obtaining fresh food.