Nonprofit, county bringing farmers markets to food desert in Oak Cliff

By Sriya Reddy

For Oak Cliff, a nonprofit that works to bring opportunity to the southern Dallas neighborhood, is partnering with the county to host a series of farmers markets every first Saturday of the month to bring fresh produce to the community and support local farmers.

This initiative is funded by The Dallas County Health and Human Services, which received a $175,000 grant from the USDA.

This is just the latest example of DCHHS’ mission to support local farmers and encourage healthy eating in the area. Last year, the county distributed mini-grants to multiple community gardens in vulnerable zip codes in southern Dallas as a part of its Obesity Prevention Program.

Saturday is the grand opening of the farmers markets at the For Oak Cliff center on East Ledbetter Drive. They continue for at least the next three years. The market will be open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and accept SNAP and WIC vouchers. Those who use SNAP are eligible to receive up to $30 extra to buy the fresh produce.

“It’s just really meant to target folks in our community because we know that folks with experience with some of the highest rates of poverty in the area,” said Julianna Bradley YeeFoon. For Oak Cliff’s director of food justice. “We wanted to account for that and make sure it’s accessible.”

Alongside advocating for healthy eating, the farmers markets are also meant to create opportunities for local producers.

“The grant is specifically intended to cultivate local farmers and growers so a lot of the funds are there to pay for all the overhead for new farmers,” Bradley YeeFoon said. “It just really is meant to create economic opportunity for small vendors and increase food sovereignty in the area.”

Right now, For Oak Cliff is working with seven farmers, but is hoping to grow to 21 over the course of the next three years.

According to Parkland Hospital’s Community Health Needs Assessment, Oak Cliff’s zip code 75216 is one of the unhealthiest in the area with high rates of diabetes, chronic illness, and heart disease. The South Oak Cliff community has few grocery stores, which are often understocked, and it is more difficult to find fruits and vegetables.

“We are in a crisis,” Bradley YeeFoon said. “The reason that’s the case is that this is considered a food desert. There are very, very limited places where one could go and buy, particularly fresh fruits and vegetables, but really a healthy meal period.”

Bradley YeeFoon said other farmers markets that she’s seen have been in parking lots, but For Oak Cliff has about ten acres of green space with a playground and picnic area. She hopes this space will give those who attend a feeling of community.

“It’s about healing together from the weight of the reasons why we are in a food desert in the first place,” she said. “It’s more than just having the food, it’s also having each other and a community, and I think that’s really important.”