NEW ROCHELLE, NY — Thanks to Launch 1000, Marion Henson of Mount Vernon has launched Bloom Healthy, located at 595 Main Street inside the now-closed historic Loew’s Theater in downtown New Rochelle.
Launch1000 is an online, self-paced program teaching Westchester residents how to evaluate their business idea, test it with potential customers, and see if it seems likely to succeed. The program, created responding to the significant economic disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, seeks to enable 1,000 Westchester residents to start a business or develop an income stream for themselves and their families.
More than 700 Westchester residents have applied to Launch1000. The final cohort will be admitted on July 26th. Applications are still open, and interested participants can learn more about the program and apply here.
Henson connected with other Launchers who volunteered to pack boxes and even provide food from their garden. Henson chose New Rochelle to start her business because she is a graduate of the College of New Rochelle and connected with the neighborhoods in the city.
Henson said: “I have a real love of the community. I know there are different groups of people here in New Rochelle, from those who are food insecure and those who are not. I wanted to help wherever I could.”
Henson’s company sells “Bloom Boxes”.
Customers can purchase boxes of fresh produce for themselves, or pay-it-forward and buy a box for someone in need. On Henson’s first day, there were already 40 online orders, with half of them pay-it-forward boxes.
Westchester County Executive George Latimer said: “Ms. Henson’s business is more than a business. It’s a community partnership. Here’s an entrepreneur who absorbed the resources of the Launch1000 Program to give back, and it’s heartwarming to see so many people taking to task the idea of helping others have nutritious meals.”
Director of Entrepreneurship and Innovation for the Westchester County Office of Economic Development Deborah Novick said:
“It’s truly unbelievable how the richness of people’s life experiences have become so accessible through this program. With so many Launchers participating, and sharing their expertise, there is magic happening within this program, which provides encouragement, support, and networking. It is such a benefit to offer training to make a living while continuing to build the economy. To see Bloom Healthy, literally just bloom, is inspirational.”
To sign up to purchase or provide a Bloom Box, click here. Pick-ups are every Wednesday and Friday from 11am to 5pm.