In an effort to raise awareness to food access and insecurity issues, the National Center for Public Research declared September National Food Desert Awareness Month. Careful, now: it's deserts, not desserts. Forget cakes and chocolate and instead picture large geographic areas with no or distant grocery stores. Research shows...

Recently, a three-foot-long alligator originating from Florida or Louisiana was pulled from the Chicago River. The reptile was described as "not aggressive, but dangerous" and "probably somebody's pet." Someone's pet at one point, until it escaped or was no longer wanted. One news release stated, "One chomp of its 80...

At least, according to Kermit the Frog's woeful tune. Come hear an alternative viewpoint at Chicago's Green Festival at 3 p.m. on Sunday, May 17 in the Community Action Pavilion at Navy Pier in Chicago when I present "Green Solutions to the Food Desert." We will share our latest Chicago...

If you read my most recent Huffington Post article or just stay current with the news, you know that the violent death toll for Chicago public school children is breaking records. As other competing stories unfold - the Olympic visit, parking meter revolts, bailouts and so on - #30...

Earlier this year, local gangs set an apartment fire to punish their rivals, killing a seven-year-old girl named Itzel and her pregnant mother by mistake instead. Though sad and sensational, the story was trumped by subsequent tales of terror as Chicagoans - many just children - continue to fall victim...

Up for something different this Halloween besides alliteration? Sure, there's the haunted houses, the costume parties, and the outdoor activities while the fall weather lasts. It's all great fun. And why not? But how about adding a slight twist to tradition?

As President of the National Center for Public Research...

We sure have been hearing a lot lately about grocery stores! Big, small, and in-between - If they are what we call mainstream, they are good for public health. If they are what we call fringe, well, not so good for your lifespan or waistline if frequented on a regular...

In our first post, "Brother, Can You Spare an Apple?," we addressed a very serious condition affecting millions in America: not enough good food in the food desert. More diet-related deaths and disease. Too much pre-packaged, high-salt, high-fat junk food. Mothers and children suffering. You get the picture.

In advancing...

You can't choose healthy foods if you don't have access to them. And that's the dilemma faced by millions of residents in the "Food Deserts" of America.

A food desert is a geographic area with no, or distant, grocery stores often served by plenty of fast food restaurants. In our...