New Horizon Mini-Mart

The Mission

New Horizons Mini-Mart offers an innovative way to solve food insecurities in low-income neighborhoods through the use of vending machines.

The Problem

Have you ever come across the phrase "Food Desert"? It's a term used to describe areas where people struggle to find affordable, nutritious food items like fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Sadly, such places often lack grocery stores or farmers' markets, with convenience stores and gas stations being their primary food sources - which usually don't provide healthy options. As a result, many families find it difficult to access nutritious food.

The Solution

New Horizon Mini-Mart, a one-of-a-kind convenience store designed to promote self-reliance in low-income neighborhoods. Our innovative, contactless store will feature vending machines stocked with groceries supplied by local vendors providing residents with healthier food options. 

The Market

Did you know that the United States Department of Agriculture defines a food desert as an area where at least 500 people live more than a mile away from a supermarket or large grocery store? In such places, residents often have no choice but to shop at small, local convenience stores. This presents us with an opportunity to serve up to 100 customers per day, including:

• Folks relying on public assistance
• Neighbors without vehicles
• People seeking a quick, convenient shopping experience
• Health-conscious residents looking for better food options

How to Solve The Problem

What sets New Horizon Mini-Mart apart from other convenience stores, you ask? Well, here are a few key aspects:

• Local Vendors.

  We're committed to supporting local suppliers, so our vending machines will be stocked with fresh fruits and vegetables from nearby farmers. By choosing local, the money spent at our store goes back into the community, helping to boost the local economy.

• Community Participation.

  Our store isn't just about filling a space with vending machines; we want it to be a place that belongs to the people. We'll collaborate with community organizations to understand the needs of local residents, host monthly cooking demonstrations to teach new and delicious ways to prepare fresh produce and gather feedback through in-store and online questionnaires to ensure we're providing the items and services our customers want.

• Customer Service.

  Although the vending machines make our store contactless, we'll always have customer service representatives on hand to assist with machine use or answer any questions you might have.

How Your Support Will Make a Difference

I'm looking to raise $75,000 to bring this project to life. With your generous support, we'll be able to accomplish the following:

• Secure a prime location for our store
• Acquire the necessary vending machines
• Connect with local vendors and suppliers
• Engage a professional marketing agency to boost our reach

The Team

So far, I am a team of one.

Hi, I'm Ruth Jones, a proud native of Chicago's south side, where I've spent my entire life.

For 18 years, I had the opportunity to work at a family-owned manufacturing company where I wore many hats, including customer service, accounts payable, accounts receivable, and even picking orders on the sales floor. This experience taught me the importance of patience and courtesy, even when dealing with the most difficult customers, as well as building strong, mutually beneficial relationships with vendors.
All these experiences have shaped me into the person I am today, ready to embark on this new adventure.

Back in 2013, I came to understand the challenges of living in a food desert when the Dominick's store at 71st and Jeffery closed, leaving the South Shore community without a major grocery store. Over the years, I've had various ideas on how to address this issue by creating a unique store concept but hadn't been able to fully develop a plan. While a new store has opened in the old Dominik's location, food insecurity remains a prevalent issue on the south side.

It's time for us to get creative and think outside the box.

If you're enthusiastic about our project but can't contribute financially, don't worry—there are still ways you can help. Sharing information about our campaign with your friends and encouraging them to spread the word would mean to me. 

Your consideration and support is appreciated.