Food Deserts in Southern Illinois

If residents live more than one mile from a supermarket in urban cities and 10 miles in rural counties, then that region is considered a food desert. Many food deserts are in Southern Illinois. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, 23.5 million Americans live in communities with limited access to fresh and affordable produce.

For those without a car, it makes getting fresh food even harder; relying on public transportation to get them to the nearest supermarket which can sometimes take hours. People in communities classified as “food deserts” typically make below the median income — and this problem disproportionately affects Black and brown neighborhoods. 

To disucss how food deserts are impacting the communities of Southern Illinois and ways we can address this problem, The 21st was joined by three guests.

Guests:

Jennifer Paulson, Executive Director of Food Works

Joey Fonseca-Islas, University of Illinois Extension Educator, SNAP Education for Illinois Nutrition Education Program

Steven L. Tarver, President of Men of Power-Women of Strength in Cairo

Prepared for web by Zainab Qureshi

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