3 Ways to Help Food Desert Communities
Provide healthful foods to local desert areas that don't have the resources to grow fresh produce.
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Get inspired by a nonprofit that has transformed a Chicago neighborhood in Good Karma: A Yoga Garden Grows in an Urban Food Desert
About 23.5 million Americans live in food deserts—areas that lack access to affordable fruits, vegetables, and other healthful foods—according to the US Department of Agriculture (USDA). Here are steps to helping these communities:
1. Find local food deserts.
To find a food desert near you, enter your zip code in the USDA’s Food Desert Locator: ers.usda.gov/data/fooddesert.
2. Volunteer at community gardens.
The American Community Gardening Association provides lists and maps of community gardens, so you can locate those near food deserts that may donate fresh food to neighbors in need: communitygarden.org/find-a-garden.
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3. Donate fresh produce.
Find food banks, soup kitchens, and other organizations fighting hunger through Food Pantries or Feeding America: foodpantries.org feedingamerica.org/find-your- local-foodbank.