DENVER -- Many of us take for granted that we can go to the grocery store and buy healthy food any time we like. But there are six neighborhoods in Denver where that doesn't happen; they're actually called "food deserts."

"Sun Valley is a wonderful community. It is the poorest community in Colorado," said Judy Elliott of Denver Urban Gardens.

The residents of the Sun Valley neighborhood face many challenges in putting food on the table. Income, transportation and proximity to stores creates a recipe for poor nutrition.

"The challenge that I face is really trying to get to the actual grocery store," said Candace Qualls, who often buys groceries at convenience stores and the small neighborhood market.

Located between Interstate 25 and Federal Boulevard, the closest grocery store is miles away, which is not only inconvenient, but also creates an added expense for Qualls. She rides a bus to the store and brings her groceries back in a cab, which adds about $10 to her food bill.

For this reason, Sun Valley and five other neighborhoods near it are labeled "food deserts."

"A food desert is a geographic area in which access to affordable quality nutritious food is very limited," said Maren Stewart, the president and CEO of Livewell Colorado, which advocates reducing obesity.

"It's not just that there is a lack of healthy options there's actually an overabundance of unhealthy options," said Stewart.

People living in Sun Valley have access to a 7-Eleven and a Family Dollar store, but produce is hard to come by, even at the Decatur Market.

Denver Urban Gardens and Livewell Colorado have established a community garden to educate, and provide fresh produce for the neighborhood through farmer's markets. But they say more must be done.

"The families know about the importance of fruits and vegetables," said Elliott. "With large families and lack of access to food and definitely living where the average family income is about $7,500 a year, it is really difficult to provide everything that is needed."

So what are the solutions for this problem? Livewell Colorado suggests subsidies or incentives to make it more lucrative for a grocery store to move into an under-served area, and encouraging convenience stores to offer healthier food choices.

The non-profit is currently monitoring seven bills in the state legislature related to health and nutrition. You can view these bills at: livewellcolorado.org.