Food Deserts

A food desert is a geographic area where residents’ access to affordable and nutritious food is restricted or nonexistent due to the absence of grocery stores within convenient travel distance.  Urban food deserts often feature fast-food restaurants and convenience stores that primarily sell unhealthy food. While these food options are the most convenient for residents, the greatest challenge to living in a food desert is poor diet quality. These cheap, unhealthy food options contribute to a higher prevalence of chronic diseases associated with being overweight, and residents’ lack of access to necessary resources leaves them facing barriers to self-care