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Co-op
Worker Profile: Mariah Dahl
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by Hope Perlman
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Mariah Dahl, Outreach
Coordinator for the Honest Weight Food Co-op, is one of the lucky
twenty-somethings who graduated college with a clear sense of who she
is and what she wants to do. The Outreach Coordinator oversees the many
activities the Co-op sponsors out in the community as part of its
mission to be much more than a grocery store. Some examples are The
Ready, Set, Grow program for children, providing hands-on activities to
introduce them to fruits and vegetables; teaching about whole grains at
senior centers; and providing lunch-box makeovers at employee
assistance programs and health fairs. In addition to these activities,
Mariah runs the Food For Thought film series (co-sponsored with
WAMC/Northeast Public Radio), is organizing the 2nd Annual Eat Local
Challenge and Harvest Festival, facilitates other big events that
arise, and is in charge of the Honest Weight's donations program.
Donations might be refreshments for a meeting at or a gift basket given
to an organization whose mission fits the Co-op's.
Mariah began her career at the Co-op when she was a student in Women
Studies at SUNY. Intending to work in non-profits, Mariah chose a
concentration on community activism and media justice, and undertook an
internship at the Co-op under the direction of the former outreach
coordinator in January 2009. Last May, when the position opened, she
was the natural replacement. Mariah inherited her commitment to
activism from her parents, who met on Cape Cod at the New Alchemy
Institute, a sustainable energy, agriculture and housing community. She
moved around the country while her parents pursued their careers,
always aware of their strong commitment to social and environmental
issues. They eventually settled in Ithaca. "I was one of those little
kids you see running around the Co-op now. I grew up in co-ops," says
Mariah.
Mariah is also involved in the Capital District's underground artists'
community, making art that raises awareness of consumerism, recycling
and feminism as part of an informal collective, "Rebels with a Cause."
She began making performance art in college, forming with some friends,
including Sina and Monica, both Honest Weight members, the SUNY
Artists' Cooperative. She hosted a hip-hop and world music radio show
on UAlbany's WCDB, showcasing local artists such as Oddygato, LofiLoBo,
DJ Trumaster, Broadcast Live, DJ Luke Johnathan, Arm Fee and Taina
Asilie y La Banda Rebelde. More recent works include creating a ball
gown from trash, wearing the gown around Troy, and taking pictures of
the event for Facebook. She also participated in Discard Avant Garb,
dressed in an outfit made of recycled materials (from the Honest Weight
Food Co-op). When she arrived at a rally against the corporate bailout,
costumed as Wonder Woman, with a placard saying "Save The
Billionaires," she made it onto TV. As always, her art reflects her
strong commitment to educating and empowering the community about her
beliefs.
When asked for a favorite product at the Honest Weight, Mariah runs
through many that she loves, but settles on the Preserve razor and
toothbrush. Not only are both made of recycled materials, but once used
they can be returned to the manufacturer, where they will be ground up
and repurposed once again. Her favorite department is Produce. She
feels the quality and selection is unmatched by any store in the area.
Mariah's favorite aspect of the Honest Weight Food Co-op is that its
mission includes outreach and education. Having that mission as part of
a business is "amazing." She feels the work the Co-op does in this area
is extensive, especially when compared to its overall size. When asked
what she sees herself working at in five years, she pauses for only an
instant before saying, "community outreach here." She loves what she
does, because her job allows her to combine the three things she loves
most, "art, food, and community." She hopes to continue in the position
for a long time.
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