Flaming Cold
Written By: Tara Tandlich
Today’s first question is: What’s cold but hot? Answer: Blue Marble Dreams.Today’s second question is: what’s Blue Marble Dreams? Answer: the non-profit off-shoot of Blue Marble ice cream.This warm-hearted story about a cool confection started in 2007. That’s when actor Jennie Dundas, and her former roommate, social worker, and organic food advocate, Alexis Gallivan, opened Blue Marble’s first shop in Boerum Hill,Brooklyn. Lacking business experience, but propelled by a mutual love of earthy-friendly ice-cream, they forged ahead on a path marked by passion, mistakes and hope.
Thirteen years later, Blue Marble continues to grow. In addition to having over ten retail locations, and a wide supermarket presence, the brand is also New York’s only certified organic ice cream. They were also the first to serve ice cream in biodegradable containers. Blue Marble, which is another way to describe the Earth, (their signature flavor is called The Blue Marble) is all about a product that’s made responsibly. Fair trade sugar and cocoa are embraced. Artificial sweeteners, hormone-filled dairy, GMOs, and pesticides are avoided.Blue Marble Dreams, founded in 2010, shares the same positive energy for helping the Earth and others.According to Dundas, “In our shops…we see the emotional impact of an ice cream cone. It turns bad days into good and makes good days even better. It also brings people together and creates an opportunity for a shared, joyfulexperience. The idea that this impact might not be limited to the U.S., but in fact could be universal, was fascinating to me… .”
Blue Marble Dream’s mission is to, “Create jobs, joy and prosperity through the unlikely medium of ice cream.” One focus for Blue Marble is to “…help local women build ice cream businesses in areas recovering from conflict ornatural disaster with the belief that these sweet, small enterprises can revive both the spirit and economy of a community.” In 2010, Blue Marble partnered with a group of women drummers in Butare, Rowanda. The result? The town’s first ice cream shop, Inzozi Nziza, which means “Sweet Dreams.”Interested in visiting the shop but not planning a trip? No problem. Thanks to an award-winning 2012 documentary, Sweet Dreams, one may enjoy a virtual visit.The trailer may be viewed the trailer here, and the movie is on Hulu, Amazon and iTunes.
This inspiring documentary profiles the business’ creation, challenges and positive influence. From the start, locals were interested; however, many had never tasted ice cream. In the film, one person asks, “Is it cold?” Another mentions that he had “… seen it in movies.” Despite their unfamiliarity with ice cream, the shop, which opened in 2012, wasembraced. Since then, according to the Blue Marble website, “…the shop is 100% self-sustaining and owned outright by our Rwandan partners.” In 2015, Alexis and Jennie were approached by friends in Haiti. Not long after,another shop, the day-glo pink Bèl Rèv, (“Sweet Dreams” in Haitian) opened in Port Au Prince.
Since July 2021, Alex and Jennie have partnered with a local, New York nonprofit. According to the Blue Marble website: “As part of our mission to Make The World a Sweeter Place, we are privileged to pledge 1% of sales from scoopshops and private events to The Brotherhood Sister Sol organization. Founded in 1995 and based in Harlem…“BroSis” provides comprehensive, holistic, longterm support services and state level advocacy to youth across New York City.” Blue Marble and Blue Marble Dreams continue to thrive, thanks to loyal patrons, generous friends, supporters and funders. They also have a celebrity clientelle, like Naomi Watts and Billy Crudup. Crudup, who is also an investor,starred with Jennie in “Arcadia”, which played at Lincoln Center.What’s next for Blue Marble Dreams? Most likely something innovative. And why not? Alex combines community outreach and ice-cream. Jennie glides from stage and silver screen to silver ice cream scoop. Let’s raise a cone tothese frozen desert trailblazers.
