Digging to root of diet problem

First the gopher problem must be solved. Then holes must be dug. Seeds must be planted.

After that, members of the West Fresno Boys & Girls Club can start growing, weeding and harvesting in their new fruit and vegetable garden.

The club hopes to battle diabetes and other obesity-related diseases that plague the neighborhood by growing and selling fruits and vegetables in a garden next to its playground.

The Consumer Empowerment Forum for Change -- a group of local residents, elected officials, businesses and community leaders -- has unveiled plans for the garden in hopes of improving the health of residents in low-income Fresno neighborhoods by giving them easier access to fruits and vegetables.

Fresno County has more than five times as many fast-food restaurants and convenience stores as supermarkets and produce vendors, according to the California Center for Public Health Advocacy. The center, based in Davis, is a nonpartisan nonprofit organization that raises awareness about critical public health issues.

In a recent study, the center found that counties with high numbers of fast-food restaurants also have high occurrences of diabetes, heart disease and cancer because residents are more likely to eat burgers and fries than fruits and vegetables.

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