Young entrepreneur sells fruit on Third Ward street corner

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- It's an area considered a "food desert" where food options are limited, much less healthy food choices.

That's exactly why Shiheem Wallis did something simple, yet noteworthy: he put up a fruit stand on a street corner there.

Wallis buys fresh fruit from Costco then slices it at his stand in front of his customers and sells fruit cups, charging two to five dollars per cup.

"I don't do it for the money," Wallis said. Instead, he does it to help the community. "I do it for anyone who can get the benefits of this fruit."

A picture of his business was posted on Facebook. It was shared more than 2,600 times.

The man who posted the picture said the amount of attention was shocking.

"I was extremely surprised," Ed Pettitt said. "I've never posted something that went viral like that before."

"It's great he's selling fresh fruit bowls in Third Ward specifically, since it is considered a food desert," Ed Pettitt said.

Now others are stepping up, offering him business legal support and other services to help grow the business.

Wallis said he makes about $60 on a good day. He has dreams of opening up his own store in his neighborhood.

You can find more about Fruit Life on its Facebook page or on Instagram.