PORTLAND, Ore. (KATU) — The United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) map of food deserts shows a stark difference between communities on the west side of the Interstate 205 line in Portland and those on the southeast and northeast sides of the freeway.
The federal agency defines food deserts as low-income census tracts with limited access to affordable, nutritious food.
This USDA locator map outlines those areas in orange, with the vast majority of low-income neighborhoods located more than a mile from grocery stores situated on the east side.
Over the years, various studies have shown that people living in food deserts have higher rates of obesity, diabetes and lower overall life expectancy…