The U.S. Department of Agriculture released a web-based tool today to help people identify whether or not they live in a "food desert." I'm not sure why you need the government to tell you whether this is the case, but here it is.

I can't help but pointing out that two of these so-called "food deserts" located in and around the nation's capital are proposed sites for new Wal-Mart grocery stores -- stores the labor unions and other progressive groups are fighting to keep out of the city.

I was also surprised to find out that my hometown is a "food desert." Who knew?