From farm to hamlet

Adirondack communities are tackling a grocery divide.

Drive around the park and, upon quick glance, it appears much of the health and wealth of a community can be determined by the access residents have to groceries in general and in particular fresh, healthy foods.

After grocery store closings in communities across the region, grassroots initiatives are sprouting to build a stronger local food system and improve access to fresh foods for all residents, at the same time harnessing the strengths of the blossoming local food scene.

Fresh options for Indian Lake

Communities that lack close proximity to grocery stores are commonly known as food deserts. The USDA broadly defines food deserts as “areas that lack access to affordable fruits, vegetables, whole grains, low-fat milk and other foods that make up a complete diet.” More specifically, they’re census tracts where at least 500 people and/or at least a third of the population in rural places live more than 10 miles away from a supermarket (or more than one mile away in urban settings).

What’s it like to live in a food