Food Deserts

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A study showed that there are 23.5 million people that live in low-income areas with a lack of access to a supermarket or large grocery store and do not have transportation to easily accommodate shopping at the nearest location. Whereas, rural areas lack public transportation infrastructure, there are urban areas of Houston that have limited assess, higher levels of racial segregation and greater income inequality (USDA, 2009).
The USDA (2014) defines food deserts as “urban neighborhoods and rural towns without ready access to fresh, healthy, and affordable food.” These areas instead are littered with high-priced convenience stores and fast food restaurants, contributing to diet and obesity-related illnesses, hypertension, cardiovascular disease and diabetes amongst the population in low-income communities. The First Lady launched her Let’s Move initiative to alleviate childhood obesity and has catapulted a nation-wide examination of the extent of health in the nation (Let’s Move, 2011).
Nutritional status’ of low-income individuals residing in Houston-area food deserts can be enhanced with access to healthy, affordable foods. Although, the USDA’s Economic Research Service (ERS) identified these critical areas on …show more content…
Some of these targeted entities are: residents, non-profit organizations, local and tribal governments, businesses, cooperatives, universities, state Departments of Agriculture, Treasury-certified Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs), Community Development Entities (CDEs) and Community Development Corporations (CDCs)(USDA ERS,
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