Dirty Girl Coffee Spearheads a Caffeine-Fueled Fight for Economic Growth and Women’s Equality
What started out as a “side hustle” for Jane Cavarozzi turned into the anchor of a larger progressive pathway.
Cavarozzi co-founded Dirty Girl Coffee, or DG, a craft-roasted coffee company with the mission of supporting women’s economic development in Appalachia. The roastery’s motto “Get Dirty, Be Dirty, Live Dirty” represents the company’s goal to encourage women. Whether they work in construction or in the home as a full-time mom, DG encourages all women to “Live Dirty.”
“People either get a chuckle out of our name, or they really get attached to our mission,” Cavarozzi says.
But DG is no joke—sourced with a socially conscious mindset, the coffee is fair trade, organic and shade-grown. Five of the coffee beans come from women-run farms in countries such as Peru and Brazil. Cavarozzi says this sourcing costs more, but social awareness trumps price.
After roasting at their center in Glouster, DG sells the coffee to wholesalers across the region, including Kindred Market and The Farmacy in Athens County, and Village Taco in Columbus. Cavarozzi also sells coffee beans and fresh brewed coffee almost every Saturday at the Athens Farmer’s Market.
Cavarozzi and her wife bought land in Glouster and moved from Columbus after her former boss told Cavarozzi she needed to enjoy more of her life. In the first year of full residency, she worked on connecting with and listening to her neighbors. Cavarozzi began strategizing with developers and Glouster leaders to find her economic niche, which includes the creation of DG.
“[Cavarozzi] partnered with a few local nonprofits as well in grant writing and providing great ideas for social change through meaningful community projects,” Celestia Hatthorn, previous DG roaster and farmers market representative says in an email.
DG partners with the Glouster Revitalization Organization (GRO), a nonprofit that creates strategies to revitalize the community and support entrepreneurial efforts. One of the projects facilitated by the GRO is the removal of unsafe buildings.
With DG’s support, GRO redeveloped space into a park filled with trees and benches. They have also built a stage for people to perform during “Glouster First Friday’s,” a monthly event filled with music and food trucks in the summer. Due to COVID-19, this summer’s festivities were cancelled; but the village is hopeful for next summer.
“We just peck away at opportunities as we see them,” Cavarozzi says.
DG also donates to the Veggie Van, which brings fresh fruits and vegetables to food-insecure communities. The van sells produce at affordable rates once a week in Glouster.
“Really, our role is to take these silos that are doing great things and band them together and make it more impactful … If all these folks can communicate and work together, it will really help,” Cavarozzi says.
Cavarozzi spoke with excitement about the Bailey’s Trail project, a new, federally funded attraction in Southeast Ohio. The trails bring outside bikers and hikers to the area, so Cavarozzi is sprouting ideas for Airbnb’s and expansion to leaders in Glouster. Per usual, Cavarozzi has targeted an opportunity to help the town grow.
When Cavarozzi comes across an obstacle, she focuses on how to help, even if it takes some convincing and pushing.
“I’m noisy, persistent and really annoying … if people don’t want to listen to me, they don’t and that’s okay. But eventually, they’ll hear me because I won’t shut up until I get my way,” she says.
This buzz of passion, fueled by DG caffeine, is what Cavarozzi uses to fight for economic growth and women’s equity.