Food insecurity may seem to many of us like a problem for someone else, somewhere else. For others, it is an urgent and very personal worry. A map produced by the Institute for Local Self Reliance shows there are food deserts in every state. In Ohio, they are growing.

According to a report by the Ohio Capital Journal, the institute defines an urban food desert as a low-income census tract with at least 500 people or 33% of the population living a mile or more from the nearest supermarket, large grocery or supercenter; rural food deserts have the same parameters with the exception of people having to be 10 or more miles away from those grocery stores. Convenience stores and dollar stores were not considered as being regularly able to provide a wide variety of fresh, healthy food options.

Though there are some food deserts in urban areas, the largest number were rural — and more concentrated in southeast Ohio.

In Belmont County, there are several grocery stores: Krogers in Bellaire, Martins Ferry and St. Clairsville. A Riesbeck’s in St. Clairsville, Shadyside and Bridgeport, and a Walmart, Sam’s Club and Aldi all in St. Clairsville.

Ohio House Bill 543, to create a food desert elimination grant program by helping those smaller convenience stores sell fresh and healthier foods, has been languishing in the state House Community Revitalization Committee since Oct. 29.

In December, lead co-sponsor Rep. Terrence Upchurch, D-Cleveland, told WCMH “Food deserts have made a balanced diet inaccessible to many Ohioans.”

It’s that simple. And while we may not be able to move the needle on this issue all at once, lawmakers could certainly be looking at HB 543 and other ways to make small changes — if they have the appetite for it.