Over 40,000 Wyomingites live in areas with limited or no access to grocery stores, according to a recent report from the Mountain States Regional Health Equity Council.
The report names areas in Platte, Goshen, Crook, Big Horn, Carbon and Fremont counties as being food “deserts:” defined as areas where fresh fruit, vegetables and other healthy foods are hard to find.
Renee Gamino is with the Wyoming AARP and is a coauthor of the report. She said even where fresh food is available, it’s often too costly for low-income residents.
“But one thing that some communities are doing, either through churches or community efforts, is creating community gardens. That way fruits and vegetables can be available to those who may not be able to afford it.”
The report also points out that Wyoming has lower than average rates of medical checkups, cholesterol screenings, and preventative dental care, which it attributes in part to Wyoming legislators' decision not to expand Medicaid coverage.