(Michigan City, IN) - Lack of access to healthy foods is being studied in Michigan City.  The west and east sides of the city are designated "food deserts" because of poverty and lack of transportation to reach the nearest supermarkets several miles away.   The idea for the study is making access to healthy foods easier in those parts of the city.

The Economic Development Corporation of Michigan City is partnering with Purdue Extension on the effort.  Officials said Purdue Extension will help put together a survey to gather input and ideas on what the public wants to see in terms of easier access to healthier foods.

Experts said poor people without a supermarket nearby often buy less healthy food at convenience stores because of the difficulty reaching traditional grocery outlets.