How a State Fair Urban Farm Could Help Transform South Dallas

We're encouraged to see the latest effort to bring fresh food options to South Dallas, this time in the form of Big Tex Urban Farms in the heart of the State Fair of Texas.The farm seems a natural extension for an institution with agricultural roots dating back more than a century. And its role in trying to build a network for long-term food security holds promise for transforming the surrounding neighborhood.Let's face it, this city still has a problem with limited access to adequate affordable food options in southern Dallas. Thousands of residents, many of them children, still live in food deserts miles away from grocery stores. That leaves unhealthy fast-food options that can lead to obesity, diabetes and other health problems that contribute to systemic poverty.The Big Tex farm, supported by money from the State Fair's 24-day run, joins the successful Bonton Farms and the much-praised We Over Me Farm at Paul Quinn College in trying to reverse these trends in southern Dallas.  Continue reading...