FOX 21 News, KQDS-DT

DULUTH - Neighbors in Lincoln Park are struggling to put food on the table.

The area is being declared a food desert because it doesn't have a single grocery store.

"I've got some Chef Boyardee macaroni and cheese and I got myself a little candy bar and some energy drinks," Lincoln Park resident Jaime Hashey said.

Hashey is just one of more than 5,000 residents in Lincoln Park also known as West End.

"It's pretty rough," said Hashey.

It's being declared a food desert, which means there is limited access to supermarkets or grocery stores.

"This is a desert zone for grocery stores," said Lincoln Park resident Robert. "You gotta go 3 miles one way 3 miles the other way and it leaves people in quite a lurch."

Many of the residents are forced to get groceries from convenience stores and gas stations.

"Mostly frozen stuff, chicken, frozen pizza, burritos," said Robert.

They say the food selection is unhealthy.

"I would love to eat some vegetables or even some fruit," said Hashey.

They also say it's expensive.

The little store is outrageously priced on everything," said Robert. "Most of these people around here are low income trying to make it."

At the Little Store a loaf of bread cost $4.

At Super One a loaf of bread is just $1.99.

A trip to the grocery store is a difficult task without a car.

"Recently my car isn't working so we're borrowing vehicles or I've even taken a bus," said Hashey. "Can't get much when you're taking a bus and milk is really hard to carry on a bus."

CHUM is starting a door knocking campaign where they will knock on every household to find a solution to the food desert problem.

"Maybe a grocery store maybe not we don't know," CHUM Community Organizer Matt Traynor said. "Whatever they decide to come up with we just really wanna get behind and support them."

Residents say the solution is probably a complicated yet simple one.

"I would love to see a little grocery store," said Hashey.

With cheaper prices and healthier choices.

CHUM is looking for volunteers to help out with the campaign.

If you would like to help, just give them a call.

The campaign will kick off next week.