West Virginia Communities Respond to a Growing Number of Food Deserts

"People in more than 40 counties in West Virginia endure some sort of limited food access, and the number is growing as more and more grocery stores close their doors," according to an article by Roxy Todd and Jessica Lilly.

The article also explores some of the grassroots responses to the proliferation of food deserts in Appalachia, including the example fo the city of Alderson.

"When the grocery store in Alderson closed, the community worked to find local resources with hopes of becoming self-sufficient. A local co-op expanded to create the Green Grocer. The project received two grants from the One Foundation. But its largest chunk of cash came from donors to an Indiegogo campaign. People from across the world sent a total of $31,000 to help the cause."

Also contributing to the efforts in Alderson was an organization called Grow Appalachia, which runs out of Berea College in Kentucky. The article lists many more examples of organizations and communities mobilizing to provide fresh, healthy food to communities throughout Appalachia.