No more food deserts is the goal of President Obama–more grocery stores coming to areas in need.

The Obama Administration  released details of the more than $400 million Healthy Food Financing Initiative that will bring grocery stores and other healthy food retailers to underserved urban and rural communities across America. The initiative is a partnership between the Departments of Treasury, Agriculture, and Health and Human Services.

The Healthy Food Financing Initiative will promote a range of interventions that expand access to nutritious foods, including developing and equipping grocery stores and other small businesses and retailers selling healthy food in communities that currently lack these options. Residents of these communities, which are sometimes called “food deserts” and often are found in economically distressed areas, are typically served by fast-food restaurants and convenience stores that offer little or no fresh produce. Lack of healthy, affordable food options can lead to higher levels of obesity and other diet-related diseases, such as diabetes, heart disease and cancer.