Why El Paso is considered a food desert

Your weekly trip to the grocery store probably feels routine, but for those living in a food desert, it’s a different story.

According to the executive director of the Paso Del Norte Health Foundation, Leah Whigham, a food desert is a location where more than a third of the population living in that area lives more than a mile from a grocery story or major supermarket, if they live in an urban are and and more than 10 miles if they live in a suburban area.”

Whigham says food deserts usually occur in low-income neighborhoods.
Rosa Mejia lives in a food desert and walks 3 miles to get to her closest grocery store.

Mejia says, “it is very difficult, because my income is very small and it is very difficult to manage,” adding, “I have a small family but it is very difficult to have enough food for all of them to eat.”

Food deserts can lead to food insecurity, which can cause some health issues.
Tune in on Thursday at 10 p.m. and reporter Evan Folan will show you which areas of the Borderland are considered food deserts and what is being done to help those living in the areas.