Portage County residents struggle to purchase nutritious groceries

Food deserts in rural areas of Portage County mean full-service grocery stores are miles from residents. Food insecurity, which is defined by Feeding America as; ” lack of consistent access to enough food for every person in a household to live an active, healthy life” affects nearly 21,000 Portage County residents. Food pantries like the Center of Hope in Ravenna are one way locals can get groceries and stay healthy.