Deanna Gonzales, 32
Product Manager , Taylor Farms , Salinas, CA
June 10, 2025 | 3 min to read
SHORT BIO
Hometown: Soledad, CA
Hobbies: Traveling, Gardening, Fitness, Wine appreciation
Family/Community: Married, 3 stepchildren
Motto in life: Work hard and be nice to people.
Gonzales’ career in agriculture started in 2015 when she began working as a food safety coordinator for Dole Fresh Vegetables, a part-time position as she wrapped up her bachelor’s degree in molecular biology at Cal State, Monterey Bay. In 2016, after completing her degree, she was promoted to FSMA specialist, and she helped lay the groundwork for FSMA compliance at Dole.
In 2018, she stepped into a more technical role as a regulatory compliance and technical innovation specialist. She worked on wash water antimicrobial studies, including collaboration with North Carolina State University on the assessment of sodium acid sulfate as a potential antimicrobial for the washing of vegetables. In 2020, she was promoted to the FSQA non-vegetable supplier program manager.
In 2022, she decided to pursue a position in research and development as the R&D product development manager. In this position, she worked on ideation, development and launch of new packaged salads and bowls. In 2022, she completed her master’s in food safety at Michigan State.
She began her position at Taylor Farms in 2023 as a product manager for retail salads, where she is now responsible for executing new product launches for Chopped Salad Kits.
Q: How did you begin working in the produce industry?
I was born and raised in the Salinas Valley, and agriculture has been a part of my family for generations. My grandfather, Bernardo Vasquez, built a career for himself as a field supervisor for Merit Packing. He later went on to start his own harvesting company in retirement. My grandfather is a big reason I’ve chosen to pursue a career in agriculture. He was hardworking and driven, and I wanted to follow in those footsteps. He would be very proud to see where I am in my career today, working with many of the companies that he worked with so many years ago.
Q: What do you know now you wish you knew when you first started your career?
During my time at Dole, I was fortunate enough to attend the Women’s Food Service Forum. There, I attended a seminar on the topic of communication. I have always prided myself on my soft skills, but little did I know there are so many ways of communicating. Not all people communicate, or give information, in the same manner, nor do they receive it in the same way. I wish I had learned that earlier in my career.
Q: What would you like consumers to know about the industry?
How much work goes into the bag of salad they find at their local grocery store. From planting, growing and harvesting in the field, to cutting, washing, and packaging at the processing facility, the process is complex, yet executed impeccably every day. Please think of all that hard work the next time you prepare a prepackaged salad for your family.
Q: How has the industry changed during your tenure?
When I began my career in the produce industry, there were very few people in their early 20s working within the company. Now, we see more young professionals entering the industry. Not only is this key to the continued success of our industry, but also helps us remain relatable to our younger consumer demographics.
Q: What advice would you give someone new to the produce industry?
Establish a healthy work-life balance early on in your career. The produce industry is so fast-paced, and feeding people is a demanding job, so don’t forget to prioritize your health and self in the process.
NOMINEES
