It is time to put an end to food deserts. 

Black Americans make up around one-third of the population of Chicago, but almost 80% of them live in areas with unstable or persistently inadequate food access, otherwise known as food deserts. 

Food deserts are areas that have limited access to inexpensive fruits, vegetables, whole grains, low-fat milk, and other foods that make up a nutritious diet. Food deserts have disproportionately impacted African American low-income communities for decades. 

There is a huge lack of investment in Chicago’s Black communities. Instead of ensuring access to grocery stores, these communities are plagued by liquor stores, convenience stores, and fast-food restaurants. The average median household income for Black families is $40,258 in comparison to that of a White family which is $68,145. Due to the large income discrepancy between minorities and their white counterparts, black individuals have to work overtime to compensate for lost wages. And sequentially, have to turn to fast food (which is extremely unhealthy due to high levels of sodium, trans-fats, and processed ingredients) because the closest grocery stores are not accessible to them as most depend on public transportation, therefore making it significantly harder for them to access remotely any health foods. This is one of the main reasons why Black Americans make up 50% of obese individuals in the United States; obesity ultimately leads to diabetes, heart disease, and/or stroke. 

Food is a basic human right. And until there is any real change, Black Americans are going to continue to suffer due to a completely avoidable injustice. 

Join me in urging Governor J.B. Pritzker to sign legislation that ensures the allocation of more funds to low-income communities that are unjustly affected by food insecurity. As well as demanding tax breaks for stores carrying fresh produce, the use of monetary incentives would encourage stores to carry fresh and healthier food.