Congressman Tim Ryan is working with other lawmakers to help eradicate what are called food deserts.

A food desert is an urban area where it's difficult to buy affordable or good-quality fresh food. Youngstown is just one of the cities facing this issue.

Ryan and another lawmaker have introduced bipartisan legislation to incentivize food service providers -- such as grocers, retailers and nonprofits -- to help eradicate food deserts. 

According to Ryan, the Healthy Food Access for All Americans Act sets up a system of tax credits and grants for businesses and nonprofits who serve low-income and low-access urban and rural areas.

"Our food system is broken and ineffective. In a country where obesity and diabetes rates are skyrocketing, and where over 20 million people live in food deserts, we cannot allow the status quo to continue. This legislation takes a big step in the right direction towards accomplishing that goal. Not only is it the right thing to do, but it makes economic sense to tackle a food system that is at the root of so much of our sky-high healthcare costs," Ryan said. 

More details about the proposed bill can be found by clicking here.