Many of the people living in food deserts are low-income people. These low-income families often turn to the junk food provided at convenience stores and fast food restaurants because that's all they can afford. Socioeconomic status is a defining characteristic of food deserts. Food deserts are most commonly found in areas dominated by minorities and low-income families. Studies show that wealthy areas have about three times the number of supermarkets than poor urban areas. In addition to that, predominantly white communities have approximately 4 times more grocery stores than predominantly black communities. Studies also show that grocery stores in African American neighborhoods are generally smaller and have fewer options when it comes to food choices. Research shows that low-income families shop wherever food prices are lowest and generally cannot afford to pay them. healthy foods. Compared to residents of higher-income communities, low-income families typically eat diets high in meat and processed foods and often have low intakes of fruits and vegetables. Research suggests that people with low socioeconomic status spend up to 37% more on food. This is due to lower weekly food budgets in addition to poorly stocked stores. Those with lower incomes are more likely to spend money on inexpensive fats and sugars versus fresh fruits and vegetables which are more expensive on a per-calorie basis. Healthy foods like whole grain products are more expensive than high-calorie junk foods. Economic forces have driven grocery stores out of many cities in recent years, leaving only a few and in some cases none. Many of these people living in these rural urban areas do not own cars and are...... middle of paper...... Hobbiss, A. Food Deserts and How to Address Them: A Study of a City Approach . Journal of Health Education, 137-149.Holzman, D.C. (2010, April 1). Food Deserts and How to Address Them: A Study of One City's Approach: White House Proposes Healthy Food Financing Initiative. Environmental health perspectives. Journal of Health Education June 2000 Vol. 59 n. 2 137-149Ploeg, M. ver; Breneman, V.; Farrigan, T.; Hamrick, K.; Hopkins, D.; Kaufman, P.; Lin, Bosnia and Herzegovina; North, M.; Smith, T.; Williams, R.; Kinnison, Access to Nutritious and Affordable Foods, Measuring and Understanding Food Deserts and Their Consequences: Report to Congress ([Rev. 3 September 2009] ed.). (2009). Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Economic Research Service. Shaw, H.J. (2006), Food Deserts: Towards the Development of a Classification. Geografiska Annaler: Series B, Human Geography, 88: 231–247.