Article
Lansing: A food desert in need of growth
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A National Health Crisis
Rising obesity rates and lack of access to healthy foods have made Lansing an example of the health crisis in the United States. According to the United States Department of Agriculture, many parts of Lansing are considered food deserts — areas where, for the majority of residents, there is limited access to healthy food on their budget. Registered dietitian Jennie Hahn said there should be concern for those children being raised in food deserts. “If you think about school lunches and the vending machines you find at schools – the kids just aren’t surrounded by the healthy options they need,” Hahn said. There are other factors that are contributing to the decline in health of Lansing residents.