An End to Food Deserts? The Healthy Food Initiative Tries to Make it So

Cruise around many low-income urban areas and it's not hard to figure out why they're described as "food deserts." Eating options range from convenience and liquor stores  to fast food outlets and not much in between. Oftentimes, people must travel large distances to get access to staples like bread, milk and produce.

The health outcomes of living in a food desert -- which are present throughout the country -- are dire. According to PolicyLink, a research and action institute, communities that lack healthy options and are crowded with fast food and convenience stores have significantly higher rates of obesity, diabetes and other health issues.

But, as Policylink reports, major steps are being taken to reduce the prevalence of food deserts. On November 30, a coalition in the House and Senate introduced the Healthy Food Financing Initiative, which aims to reduce the number of low-income Americans living in food deserts. The program would be based on a succesful program in Pennsylavania, which brought together a group of health and food advocates aiming to reduce both hunger and obesity.

Getting grocery stores to set up shop in low-income and underserved areas is a challenge. High start-up costs, lack of infrastructure and limited access to credit can thwart local grocery operators from opening new stores in these communities. But private-public partnerships have shown that they can provide jobs and healthful foods.

In Pennsylvania, for instance, the Reinvestment Fund, the Food Trust and Greater Philadelphia Urban Affairs Coalition sponsored Pennsylvania's Fresh Food Financing Initiative, which helped bring funds for food retailers looking to start a business in an area and provide a greater array of healthful food options. The initiative also helped refurbish existing supermarkets and replace old capital to improve effeciency and lower costs.

The Food Trust profiles four grocery stores that were able to expand their operations and offer more fresh food and healthy options to the community. In addition, the grocery stores help boost economy in these areas by bringing in jobs. The projects were expected to bring 3,723 jobs and over 1.2 million square feet of fresh food retail across PA.

Advocacy groups have been pushing to make national legislation built on this succesful program. Although Obama called for funds to be designated to assist healthy food financing, this new piece of legislation makes it formal. Introduced by U.S. Rep. Allyson Schwartz (PA) and U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (NY), it would authorize the USDA to give federal loans and grants for one-time start-up assistance for supermarkets, convenience stores and farmers' markets in underserved low-income areas.

Of course, the initiative rests on the premise that if people are given healthier options they will chose them. But for those lacking access to fruits, vegetables, and staples like whole grains and milk, they currently don't even have the choice.

To increase availability and access to fresh foods, tell Congress to fully support the Healthy Food Financing Initiative by signing our petition or check out PolicyLink's action page.

Photo credit: Iqra Newspaper