Most people living in food deserts are low-income people. These low-income families often turn to the junk food offered 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 often found in areas dominated by minorities and low-income families. Studies show that wealthy areas have about three times as many supermarkets as poor urban areas. On top of that, predominantly white communities have approximately 4 times as many grocery stores as predominantly black communities. Studies also show that grocery stores in African-American neighborhoods are generally smaller and offer fewer choices when it comes to food choices. Research proves that low-income families shop where food prices are lower and generally cannot afford healthy foods. Compared to residents of higher-income communities, lower-income households generally have diets higher in meat and processed foods and often have lower consumption of fruits and vegetables. Research suggests that people with lower socioeconomic status spend up to 37% more on food. This is due to smaller weekly food budgets and poorly stocked stores. Low-income people are more likely to spend money on cheap fats and sugars rather than fresh fruits and vegetables that cost more per calorie. 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 few if any. Many of these people who move to these rural urban areas do not own a car and...... middle of paper ...... Hobbiss, A. Food deserts and how to deal with them: a study of the approach of a city. Health Education Journal, 137-149. Holzman, D.C. (April 1, 2010). Food Deserts and How to Fix It: A Study of One City's Approach: White House Proposes Healthy Food Funding Initiative. Environmental Health Perspectives. Journal of Health Education June 2000 vol. 59 no. 2 137-149Ploeg, M. ver; Breneman, V.; Farrigan, T.; Hamrick, K.; Hopkins, D.; Kaufman, P.; Lin, BH; North, M.; Blacksmith, T.; Williams, R.; Kinnison, Access to Affordable and Nutritious Food Measuring and Understanding Food Deserts and Their Consequences: Report to Congress ([Rev. September 3, 2009] ed.). (2009). Washington, DC: United States Department of Agriculture, Economic Research Service. Shaw, HJ (2006), Food deserts: towards the development of a classification. Geografiska Annaler: Series B, Human geography, 88: 231–247.