Bonton Farms Fresh Market Opens in South Dallas

For many families across North Texas, getting to a grocery store and putting healthy food on the breakfast table is not easy.

According to the United States Department of Agriculture, 23.5 million people live in urban food deserts. A report from Dallas City Hall reveals there are 450,141 people who live food deserts within the city of Dallas.

"Fundamentally, it's a food desert," said Bonton Farms founder, Daron Babcock. "People here are sick and dying because they haven't had access to food for a long time."

The Market at Bonton Farms had a 'soft opening' Monday. The light, crisp interior and cases of fresh food offer something that hasn't been seen in the neighborhood.

"A lot of people down here don't even have a cars to be going way up on Martin Luther King to a supermarket," said Carolyn Hartwell as she shopped for fresh vegetables. "We need something like this!"

Six years ago, Babcock planted a small garden to help fight off the high rate of cancer, diabetes, and childhood obesity within the community. The tiny garden has expanded into a working farm, and now a restaurant that will serve healthy food to families in the community.

"You know, I hear comments from all over the place that this can't be done here," Babcock said of The Market opening. "And so I feel pressure to prove them wrong."

The market will serve breakfast, lunch and dinner. In addition to the menu, families will also be able to enjoy yoga and cooking classes.

The mission behind the market is to inspire healthy lifestyle choices.