Food deserts are areas, often urban, lacking access to fresh fruit and vegetables, as well as other nutritious foods such as whole grains and milk, that constitute a complete, healthy diet. The lack of access is often due to poverty, but may include factors such as lack of providers (grocery stores, markets, etc.), transportation issues, low shelf-stability in available markets, etc.
In the continental United States alone, there are roughly 6500 food deserts, and the numbers are only increasing (10).
