N.C. House panel looks at solutions to food deserts
By Gary D. Robertson
The Associated Press
© April 21, 2014
RALEIGH, N.C.
Shrinking pockets of North Carolina with limited access to fresh, healthful foods is challenging and ultimately requires a nongovernment solution, the leader of a General Assembly committee looking at the issue said Monday.
The House assembled a panel to examine these gaps, or "food deserts," in part after a national chain closed two grocery stores in southeast Raleigh.
"In the end, some of these things are decisions that business people will make as to whether they'll build a grocery store in a certain area," said Rep. Edgar Starnes, R-Caldwell and a committee co-chairman. "So I think we're somewhat limited in what we can do. But at least by studying it, we're able to highlight the problem and keep it in front of the General Assembly."
snip... more than 1.5 million people in North Carolina live in at least 349 food deserts in 80 counties...snip
http://hamptonroads.com/2014/04/nc-house-panel-looks-solutions-food-deserts