Dawson community opens micro grocery to combat food desert challenges

The Tulsa Women's Commission meeting held on February 7, 2025, focused on several community initiatives aimed at improving local access to healthy food and enhancing recreational opportunities in the Dawson neighborhood.

The first major topic discussed was the introduction of a micro neighborhood grocery store, referred to as "the bazaar." This store is designed to serve the Dawson community with a free membership for local residents and a nominal fee for those outside the area. The bazaar will operate on a cashless system, accepting bank cards, SNAP cards, or preloaded cash on a specific store card. The initiative aims to connect local farmers with the community, providing healthy food options in an area identified as a food desert. Additionally, the bazaar plans to offer one free meal per child for the 450 students in the Dawson K-12 schools, addressing food insecurity among local youth.

The project is currently in its first phase, which includes the grocery store and food trucks. Sustainability is a key focus, with plans to run the store on solar energy and use biodegradable packaging and reusable cloth bags. The initiative has received $500,000 from District 3 funds to support infrastructure development.

Another significant project discussed was the Black Rock Creek initiative, a partnership with the Tulsa Housing Authority's 36 North. This project aims to create biking and walking trails, a fishing pond, and other outdoor amenities, enhancing access to nature and promoting safe exercise options for the community. Community meetings have shown overwhelming support for this initiative, which is expected to benefit local schools by providing outdoor learning experiences.

The meeting also addressed infrastructure improvements on South Memorial Drive, where plans are in place to raise storm inlets to eliminate dips in the road, ensuring a smoother ride for drivers.

Overall, the meeting highlighted a commitment to restoring community vitality through improved access to food and recreational spaces, with a focus on sustainability and community engagement. The initiatives discussed are poised to make a significant impact on the quality of life for residents in the Dawson neighborhood and surrounding areas.