News release

Support for Hope Blooms

Invest Nova Scotia (July 2016 - Nov. 2022)

Hope Blooms, a popular Nova Scotia social enterprise best known for its organic salad dressings, will be able to expand its kitchen and community space in Halifax’s north end, thanks to a loan from Invest Nova Scotia.

The $1.2 million loan was announced by the fund’s independent board of directors today, Sept. 25.

“This loan will allow Hope Blooms to expand its reach in the community and provide more opportunities to help new entrepreneurs grow,” said Minister of Business Geoff MacLellan. “One of the reasons the province funds Invest Nova Scotia is to encourage collaboration across sectors so that we can develop skills to grow our economy.”

The new 3,000 square foot kitchen and community space will have the capacity Hope Blooms needs to meet the demands for its salad dressing and tea production. It will also provide space for youth and newcomers to launch new food-based social enterprises and allow it to double the number of youth who access its entrepreneurial training programs.

Quotes:

“Invest Nova Scotia is about helping teams work together to create a bigger impact on a sector or a region. Not only has Hope Blooms had a positive impact on everyone in the organization, but it has also empowered their families, friends and their community.”

– Ken Deveau, chair of Invest Nova Scotia

“We are very thankful for the generous support from Invest Nova Scotia. The Global Kitchen for Social Change will allow youth from diverse ethnicities to disrupt the cycle of poverty by providing them with resources and space to create agri-food social enterprises to contribute back to the community they live in with the proceeds they make.”

– Jessie Jollymore, executive director, Hope Blooms

Quick Facts:

  • Hope Blooms is a social enterprise that empowers and teaches leadership skills to at-risk youth in the high-needs community of North End Halifax
  • the $1.2 million loan will be used to bridge Hope Blooms’ community capital fundraising campaign which is expected to cover the costs and repay the loan within five years
  • the new kitchen will be located on the North End Hope Blooms Community Grounds next to its 4,000 square foot organic garden and green house
  • Invest Nova Scotia is an independent decision-making board that grants economic incentives. Projects must spark innovation, be collaborative, measurable and sustainable and advance the strategic goals of the ONE Nova Scotia Coalition

Additional Resources:

For more information on Invest Nova Scotia, visit https://beta.novascotia.ca/apply-project-funding-invest-nova-scotia

For more information on Hope Blooms, visit https://hopeblooms.ca/

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