Fixing America's 'Food Deserts'

Time Magazine looks at the problem of 'food deserts' in America- usually low-income communities that groceries have spurned, leaving only fast food and bodegas to fill the bill.

1 minute read

May 28, 2009, 11:00 AM PDT

By Tim Halbur

"For years, major supermarket chains have been criticized for abandoning densely populated, largely black and Latino communities in cities like Detroit, Los Angeles, Memphis and Newark, N.J. - contributing to what many experts call food deserts. Many of these communities are, quite literally, starving for broader and healthier food options beyond the seemingly ubiquitous fast-food chains and corner stores selling barely a handful of fruits and vegetables - at relatively high prices. (Watch TIME's video "Urban Deserts: Fresh Food-Free.")

Simply put, people eat what is convenient and affordable - and if it's fat-heavy fast food, that's what they'll chow down on."

FULL STORY: Can America's Urban Food Deserts Bloom?

Wednesday, May 27, 2009 in Time

Community / Economic Development United States Food Policy Local Food Urban Food

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