#food-deserts

#food-deserts

Auset was fresh out of college and living on a vegan diet. Her neighborhood largely lacked healthful options, and she wound up commuting two hours round-trip by bus to buy nutritious food that fit her budget as a recipient of federal food aid. "You spend all of this time on the bus, get somewhere that has healthy food and then you're having to debate with yourself: Can I afford this apple?" Auset recalled.

"The North Shore of Staten Island is a food desert. There are not a lot of places that have fresh, local vegetables and produce and people were looking for something healthier," said Ilene Pappert, director of the Goodhue Community Center in New Brighton where the distributions take place. "It has become such a community. People are sharing recipes, people are excited about trying new things. And they feel like they were getting their money's worth."

"What we're trying to do is get people to love this food, show them how to make it so they eat it for the long run," said longevity expert Dan Buettner.