The USDA says Lake County has 24 food deserts and 14 of them are in Gary.

A company that processes SNAP transactions at farmers markets across the U.S. will shut down at the end of the month.

Good Food Connections for the Far Eastside - with representatives from community gardens, apartment complexes, churches and others - is working to find ways of filling the fresh food void.

The town halls will start June 17 in Indianapolis and wrap up Aug. 19 in Gary, with intermediate stops in Terre Haute, Evansville, South Bend, Fort Wayne and Lafayette.

Supporters says a bill that creates the opportunity for businesses and non-profits to establish healthy food access needs state money to get started.