Copper Country Among Areas With Limited Healthy Food Choices

A new report says large areas of the state have too few supermarkets, limiting healthy food choices for Michigan residents.

The Food Trust, a healthy food advocacy group, released the report that shows large areas of the state with few supermarkets, and many neighborhoods where none exist.

Katherine Knoll of the American Heart Association says this is a major wake-up call for people and policy makers across the state. She says when 1.5 million residents, including 300,000 children, are without healthy access to food to maintain a healthy diet, we have to find helpful solutions-and fast.

The report shows that urban areas such as Detroit, Flint and Grand Rapids are not the only areas affected.

Underserved communities were also found in Hillsdale, Tuscola, Sanilac, Coldwater, Allegan, Cadillac, Hancock and Houghton.