Chicago’s Perfume Blooms Again
For the second year in a row, public gardens grown by the people of Chicago will produce plants and flowers that will be used in the creation of a limited edition perfume.
The new vintage of Tru Blooms Chicago, which will make its debut in October, is an exquisitely designed, natural fragrance with a completely different bouquet than the first. You can still purchase the first vintage of Tru Blooms Chicago online or at a store near you.
So green and beautiful
Chicago is turning back the clock by creating perfume ingredients in the manner they were meant to be gathered – not from a lab or offshore farms of a commercial producer, but from small plots of land lovingly nurtured by neighborhood people.
Look for perfume gardens in public parks, on North Michigan Avenue, and urban farms and in sections all over the City. Tru Blooms Chicago will be the first-ever fragrance made from indigenous-sourced ingredients grown by the residents for whom it’s created.
2012 First Harvest Results
Job Creation
Over 150 residents gained valuable job skills and were trained in the art of urban farming. Jobs were either created for or extended to over 60 disproportionally under-employed community members, including ex-offenders and high school and city college students.
City Beautification
New flowers were planted in 22 gardens, spread across two acres of the city. Many new gardens were created on land that is typically unused by adding flowers between sidewalks and roads.
Taxpayer Savings
The Chicago Park District’s budget for gardens in Grant Park was reduced by $40,000. An additional $60,000 for new public gardens was funded by the private sector, as represented by Tru Fragrance.
Partner Benefits
At least two dozen organizations (our partners) were able to further their missions by participating in the program. The unique Tru Blooms Chicago initiative was widely publicized, resulting in 750 publicity mentions. These included, stories in major newspapers and publications, and dozens of network TV segments, all positive messages about the partners and the city, its tourism initiative, the green movement and sustainability.
