Limited access to, and availability of, fresh, healthy, and affordable food is a major concern in several communities across the United States of America. Such conditions have long perpetuated a wide variety of negative health outcomes that include, but are not limited to, obesity, diabetes, and other heart-related disease and illness, not to mention socio-economic immobility. Furthermore, the prevalence of limited food access and food insecurity is well researched and documented as an issue that disproportionately affects non-white, lower-income communities. The following research paper aims to better understand the characteristics of food deserts, the communities that are most affected by them, and the challenges that food deserts present to the local community. Additionally, the following research paper seeks to explain why most conventional grocery stores and supermarkets do not enter underserved markets. As such, it discusses the financial difficulties associated with grocery anchored retail developments in underserved markets, and examines why such communities struggle to attract investment in general. / 0 / SPK / specialcollections@tulane.edu