by Kelley Evans
Special to the Tri-State Defender

Healthy eating is good for your waistline but hard on your wallet. A sausage and biscuit from your favorite fast-food restaurant might sell for 99 cents while the more healthy fruit and walnut salad is priced at $2.99.

So Bobbie Richard, a long-time resident of the Douglass community usually does her grocery shopping at Easy Way, Kroger and Wal-Mart – stores that are more than 10 miles away from her home. Since she does not drive, she depends upon her children to provide her with transportation to these stores, which offer better variety and lower prices.

Richard is the matriarch of her family. Her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren visit her often. She likes to have food available to them, especially during summer months when schools are out and meals need to be provided on a consistent basis. She laments that her life would be easier if she didn’t have to go so far to get what she needs.

Some very important people in Washington, D.C. are paying attention. Michelle Obama has taken up the challenges of Richard and others like her, making healthy food access and childhood obesity a major cornerstone of her platform as First Lady.

As the recession continues to batter and bruise the African-American community, many households are looking to cut costs, and healthy foods are a tempting trade-off.

Last week, a diverse group met in Washington at the National Association of Black Journalists Health Disparities Conference to discuss the challenges facing families. The conference opened with an address from Health and Human Services Secretary, Kathleen Sebelius, and closed with comments by U.S. Surgeon General Regina Benjamin, M.D., M.B.A.  The two discussed a range of current programs to help Americans lead healthier lives by eating well, getting more exercise and making good lifestyle choices.

 “Americans will be more likely to change their behavior if they have a meaningful reward – something more than just reaching a certain weight or dress size. The real reward is invigorating, energizing, joyous health. It is a level of health that allows people to embrace each day and live their lives to the fullest,” Dr. Benjamin said. “We can start by having fresh fruits and vegetables available in our communities.”

Obesity and diabetes have become part of a disparity in Shelby County over the past six years and the numbers are growing. Obesity rates in Shelby County increased 1.7 percent between 2004 and 2007, compared to a statewide increase of 3.6 percent and a national rate of 3.2 percent. Some say individuals must accept responsibility, while others suggest that the lack of access to healthy foods and transportation to supercenters give these families little choice.

Federal officials are developing programs to help bring fresh foods to low-income neighborhoods. The Food Desert Oasis Act of 2009, introduced by Rep. Bobby Rush, D-Ill., would designate certain U.S. cities as Food Desert Zones. This bill includes cities such as Chicago, Detroit, Cleveland, Cincinnati, Memphis, Birmingham, Atlanta and many more.  

Districts with high concentrations of fast-food establishments, but limited access to the foods needed to maintain a healthy diet, would qualify for the designation. The bill would provide tax incentives to eligible businesses that receive at least 25 percent of gross sales from fresh fruits and vegetables.