Back in the summer of 2013, we examined food deserts in Houston – neighborhoods with a shortage of nearby access to fresh food. They tend to be in low income areas, where major grocery chains are sometimes unwilling or unable to open a store.
The concern in 2013 was that 1 in 5 households in Harris County lived without cars, and lived more than a half mile from a supermarket. Back then, some city officials were attempting to recruit retailers into opening in some of these neighborhoods.
It’s been two years. How successful have city and nonprofit programs been targeting food deserts? We talk with Jay Blazek Crossley, Executive Director of Houston Tomorrow, Beverly Gor with Houston’ Health Department, and Erin Eriksen, Community Gardens Coordinator.