Our Nation's Breadbasket

I heard this story on NPR this morning. It was about California's Central Valley. Turns out that communities in this area have some of the highest rates of poverty and obesity and yet are surrounded by farmlands. The towns have no sidewalks. One town has no grocery store, but just about every fast food restaurant you can name. Packs of dogs patrol the neighborhoods. People who have been diagnosed with diabetes head for the hills for exercise but bring sticks to fend off the rattlesnakes instead of walking in neighborhoods and having to fight off the town dogs. Zoning restrictions have prohibited farmer's markets. The story ended describing some of the positive work that is being done- walking groups, rezoning for farmer's markets, etc. I cannot do justice to this story listen to it yourself, Central Valley Disconnect: Rich Land, Poor Nutrition.
I feel so thankful for all of the people who work to make our community as walkable and as livable as it is- I think I have been taking it for granted.