Posted on 03/07/2012 10:39:01 AM PST by Sub-Driver
Sebelius: Living a Mile from a Grocery 'May Be Too Far to Get Healthier Food' By Penny Starr March 6, 2012
(CNSNews.com) – The administration’s definition of a “food desert” – an urban area where a significant share of the population lives more than one mile from a grocery store – came under the microscope during a Health and Human Services appropriations hearing on Capitol Hill Tuesday.
Questioning HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, a Republican lawmaker said it was likely most of those present at the hearing lived a mile from their nearest grocery store.
“Do you think that definition should be revisited, because one of the things is, if you are in an urban area a mile away from a grocery store you’re in a food desert – which I would think in so many cases is ridiculous,” said Rep. Jack Kingston (R-Ga.). “Have you thought of – have you looked at their definition?”
“Ah, we have sir,” Sebelius responded.
“And you think it’s a good one?” Kingston asked.
“Well, I think it’s very difficult for a family buying groceries – if they have to walk a mile with bags of groceries, it may be too far to get healthier food,” Sebelius said.
“You really think that?” Kingston asked.
“I do,” she replied.
Sebelius agreed to take another look at the definition after Kingston pointed out that the definition is silent on how people must travel the one mile to a grocery store – whether on foot, by car or by some other means of transportation.
(Excerpt) Read more at cnsnews.com ...
I’m 25 miles from a grocery store. Wonder what Katie would say about that.
Huh is right.
Would not walking a mile or two several times a week make a person
“healthier”
One can always take the local transit bus, as well.
Shirley, they cannot be serious.
I know what she is saying. If you live in an urban center and have to rely on the bus or subway for long trips, it is hard to carry more than three or gour bags across town. Many urban dwellers buy wheeled carts for this purpose. I speak as someone who lived in Hyde Park, Chicago, having to carry groceries back from the Mr G’s many blocks.
BUT these stores all will drive your groceries to your door for a per bag fee. Pro lem solved.
Ridiculous!! 99% of urban dwellers in this situation can hop on a bus or a train(subway). Also a mile isn’t all that far - would be a great way to work on Michelle’s obese population by encouraging walking/exercise. Get out that little old red wagon to pull the groceries in.
I would do this if I lived over a mile from the store without a car, and not consider it a big deal. Usually there are already services in place for seniors or the handicapped.
Hell those eletric wheel chairs have a range longer than that. http://www.powersportsmax.com/product_info.php/products_id/583?utm_source=froogle&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=Gas%20Mopeds
My two closest grocery stores are about 1 1/2 miles away. No, I don’t walk; We drive. It’s been that way all my life. What’s the big deal? Unless she’s gearing up for gas prices to skyrocket...
Translation of government speak:
Black people don’t have cars so they can’t get good food therefore the government needs to provide food for them. All they are able to afford are chips, soda and processed foods because they are too busy working to cook.
No lie. I heard it on NPR the other day. It’s called Food Justice.
When I started off as a family man I couldn’t afford a car. I walked everywhere, including to and from the grocery store, carrying grocery bags. Big deal.
I was a lot leaner in those days.
Of course, back then I don’t remember anyone trying to define for me what constituted “healthy” food or a “food desert”. I don’t remember anyone telling me what I could or couldn’t do, and if they did I ignored them. You just get on with life without a lot of fanfare or whining.
If I had to have someone’s permission I wouldn’t have done half the things I’ve done. You just get on with it.
The Onion:
“Obama funds Webvan!”
Rush was all over this yesterday:
Kathy ... `The Hunger Games’ is just a novel.
About 5 miles for me not not really where I would do any real grocery shopping. Better deals are about 20 miles away.
Riding a bike one mile takes about 10 minutes, walking about 30 even for an unfit person. If they did it every day they wouldn’t be “unfit” after about 6 weeks and if they used a little moderation in diet could maintain a healthy weight while eating about anything they damn please in contrast to Moocheles Food Police approach.
It’s the like people I see when I go to the gym who circle the parking lot looking for a space that won’t make them walk very far...
“I’m 25 miles from a grocery store. Wonder what Katie would say about that.”
####
If you’re a white Christian conservative, my guess would be:
“Tough Sh!t”.
In many of these areas with “so called” food deserts, stores tried to stay in business but can’t because the theft is so bad it can’t stay in business. Mind you that many of these folks have ebt, but would rather rip the store off before the food gets from the truck into the building, or just flat out rip them off inside.
You see, if you steal it, it leaves more taxpayer money on your ebt card. LOL
“Well, I think it’s very difficult for a family buying groceries – if they have to walk a mile with bags of groceries, it may be too far to get healthier food,” Sebelius said.
I wish the congress critters had asked Sibelius if she walked or planned on ever walking to the grocery store. Perhaps she makes her security team walk to save CO2.
Does she think that’s a good idea for HER and her friends. Or just for us and our friends.
Is she advocating putting grocery stores every eight blocks in residential Beverly Hills? Or perhaps forcing all the folks in Beverly Hills to move into high-rises with a grocery store on the first floor.
This is just part of the liberal assault on the suburbs.
Don’t these peoples have SUVs?
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