This has given rise to a term we all need to know. That term is "food deserts." Food deserts are exactly what they sound like -- vast areas with a shortage of fresh food. They are dry stretches of society, stripped of the necessities needed for a nutrient-rich diet.

Food deserts may conjure the image of sparsely populated areas, but that's not necessarily the case. Urban neighborhoods and rural towns without ready access to fresh, healthy and affordable food comprise these areas, according to the USDA. “Instead of supermarkets and grocery stores, these communities may have no food access or are served only by fast-food restaurants and convenience stores that offer few healthy, affordable food options.”

The USDA says that approximately 23.5 million people live in these areas. And more than half of these people are considered to be low-income. Further, 2.3 million of these people live in rural areas with a driving distance of more than 10 miles to a grocery store.

A number of health risks have been linked to food deserts, including obesity, diabetes and heart disease. This is because food deserts offer few fresh foods, making well-balanced nutrition nearly impossible.

From the start of a child's life, the health impact of food insecurity is apparent, manifesting in pregnancy complications, low birth weight, and a higher predisposition to chronic health conditions such as asthma and anemia. Children in food-insecure households suffer behavior and intellectual challenges as they grow.

And in retirement, food insecurity can become a problem as senior citizens live on fixed incomes and may be forced to choose between nutritious food and life-saving medications, some of which require a healthier diet to optimize their effects.