Many grocery stores have closed their doors, especially in rural communities, and that can create a void that’s hard to fill. The 21st was joined by two people leading efforts to start grocery co-ops in their communities.

The U. S. Department of Agriculture describes a food desert as: a neighborhood or town without ready access to fresh, healthy, and affordable food. Instead of supermarkets and grocery stores, these communities may have no food access or are served only by fast food restaurants and convenience stores that offer few healthy, affordable food options.