Food deserts are places where it is difficult to buy fresh food. Defined by the USDA as “parts of the country vapid of fresh fruit, vegetables, and other healthful whole foods, usually found in impoverished areas,” food deserts are largely due to a lack of grocery stores, farmers markets, and healthy food providers. As they are generally found in low-income neighborhoods, food deserts point to a broken food system that generates a staggering amount of waste while leaving entire communities with limited access to food.

Numerous solutions to get food into these deserts are being piloted, with some of the most exciting and effective ones being created by grassroots initiatives working directly with the communities they serve. Such projects are found in neighborhoods around the world. Here are 5 of our favorites.

  1.  Food Co-ops
  2. Mobile Food Market
  3. Bus Stop Farmers Markets
  4. Ujamaa Freedom Market
  5. LA Kitchen

Read the full article about food desert solutions by Cat Johnson at Shareable.