"It is extremely possible to get nutritional food from a food pantry," said (Olivia) Megna, community impact coordinator for United Way of Southwest Michigan. "You're definitely going to get protein in the form of tuna, (or) peanut butter. A lot of times, they will have meat available, because they have refrigeration in freezers. It truly depends on if the pantry has refrigeration and freezer capability. A lot of the pantries do."
Nicole Britten has a different take on the issue. As an epidemiologist with the Berrien County Health Department, she specializes in studying how major diseases and health risks affect populations.
In Benton Harbor's case, Britten feels that hunger can't be separated from lack of access to quality food.
Sociologists have coined a term to describe being cut off from fresh, healthy foods.
"Detroit is considered a classic example of a 'food desert,'" Britten said. "There are not many grocery stores, and transportation is a problem. Benton Harbor would fall into that category as well."
When grocery stores go by the wayside, convenience stores take up the slack, often with costly foods that are sugary and full of fat, Britten said. As a result, residents living in such areas are more likely to develop obesity and other long-term health problems, she added.
"There's a lack of access to high-quality food. I think that is the biggest thing," Britten said.
www.heraldpalladium.com/articles/2010/07/13/local_news/1542693.txt
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