November 20, 2015
Dear Editor-
Healthy food accessibility is an issue that affects thousands of New Jerseyans. Many rely on the local ![\"\"](\"https://www.gloucestercitynews.net/.a/6a00d8341bf7d953ef01b8d1790a2f970c-pi\")
neighborhood store for groceries because a supermarket isn’t in close proximity. Unfortunately, many of these stores don’t carry healthy foods. When fresh produce and healthy options aren’t available for purchase, families are forced to consume foods often loaded with saturated fat, high levels of sodium and poor nutrition. According to the American Heart Association, this kind of diet can lead to an increase in major health issues including obesity, high blood pressure and high cholesterol which in turn results in a higher risk for heart disease, stroke, cancer and diabetes.