Join Chicago area residents Wednesday, October 12th from 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm as they gather to participate in a free public symposium to learn more about food deserts and what can be done to help.
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), a food desert refers to “a district with little or no access to foods needed to maintain a healthy diet but often served by plenty of fast food restaurants or convenience stores.” While many inner-city neighborhoods do provide access to food, it is mainly through an abundance of fast-food restaurants and corner stores selling alcohol, pop, and junk food, thus denying residents local and convenient access to affordable, healthy food. Low income people who do not have access to a car suffer the most from this problem because they do not have the time or the means to travel a long distance for healthy food.
Guest Speakers include:
"Introduction to Food Deserts"
Dr. Angela Odoms-Young, PhD, MS
Assistant Professor
Department of Kinesiology and Nutrition
University of Illinois at Chicago
"Food Deserts and Nutrition"
Ms. Althera Steenes
Community Outreach Specialist
Section of General Internal Medicine
University of Chicago
"Food Desert's Community Impact"
Mr. Torrey L. Barrett, I.
Executive Director
K.L.E.O. Community Family Life Center
"Fighting Food Deserts with Urban Gardening"
Ms. Erika Allen
Chicago and National Outreach Manager
Growing Power
RSVP strongly encouraged. Reply to rsvp@hmprg.org or (312) 372-4292 ext. 24
The event takes place at K.L.E.O. Community Family Life Center (119 E. Garfield Blvd., Chicago, IL 60637), near the CTA Green Line – Cottage Grove Branch Garfield Station. Light refreshments will be served.
The event is sponsored by the 2011-2012 Chicago Area Albert Schweitzer Fellors.
For more information about the problem of food deserts and its impact in urban and rural communities, read the USDA’s Full Report.
To identify the location of food deserts, visit Your Food Environment Atlas or Food Desert Locator.
To get involved with this issue, visit The Campus Kitchens Project.
To learn how to consume a healthier diet, visit:
Dietary Guidelines for Americans
