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Denver Task Force Works To Eliminate 'Food Deserts'

DENVER (CBS4) - A Denver task force is trying to make sure everyone has access to healthy food.

The task force says that low-income communities in Denver often lack access to supermarkets with affordable, healthy food. So they are trying to provide incentives for grocers to open new stores in under served neighborhoods, eliminating what's been dubbed "food deserts."

"Neighborhoods right next to each other where one has great health, access to fresh food, it is less violent, their life span is about 10 to 20 years longer than this one that doesn't," Denver City Councilman Paul Lopez said.

The task force also says they want to get more eligible Coloradans to participate in food stamp programs. Coloradans missed out on $2.6 billion in food stamp benefits, which if utilized could help lure grocery stores to urban areas.

In Denver only 43 percent of eligible individuals receive food stamps.

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