Dallas Texas is a city normally associated with BIG. Big buildings, big hair, big personalities, big money. Everything is bigger in Dallas.
There is, however, a small forgotten corner of Dallas southeast of downtown. It’s called “Bonton”. Associated with high crime, sickness, with only difficult access to healthy food, this neighborhood has been the very definition of hopeless. Bonton is filled people impacted by generational poverty.
Recognized as a “food desert” by the USDA, people who live there can either spend all day on public transportation only to buy as much food as they can carry, or they can can buy whatever is available at “Big Daddy’s” or one of the other three small beer markets in the neighborhood.
As a result, people experience dire health consequences. They have more than double the rate of cancer, stroke, heart disease, diabetes and child obesity. Men in Bonton live 11 years less than average men in Dallas County. All of this as a result of a lack of access to healthy food.
Through a crazy series of events that you can read about in this article, Daron Babcock decided to plant a garden and change the world. Or at least change the world for Bonton.
Bonton Farms is an urban farm. Y’all, it is my idea of heaven. I got to volunteer there last Saturday and it for sure will not be the last time. I’m already signed up to go back in February. Through Bonton Farms, local residents have access to healthy food and much more. I think these words painted on the wall say it well:
If you’re anything like me, you’re wondering how you can help support the amazing work going on there. You can certainly sign up for a “Service Saturday” and come get your hands dirty. Bonton Farms also has a program called “Friends of the Farm” where you commit to a small monthly amount with which to support them. I just signed up. (Insert obligatory comment about how many Starbucks runs equate to the amount of money in question.)
You can also support the farm by eating at the cafe or shopping in the market. You can also visit their booth at the Dallas Farmers Market. At the very least, go follow them on social media. Facebook Instagram
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