Produce Quiz Winner: DORRAINE GAUGER

Sales/Food Safety
Classic Yam, Inc.
Livingston, CA

Dorraine Gauger has been employed at Classic Yam Inc. for 28 years — almost since the beginning of the company. Classic Yam has been in operation for 29 years and is owned and operated by the Silveira family.

Gauger has a sales and food safety position at Classic Yam, and begins each day early with calls to customers and answering emails for orders, and then lots of paperwork. “Early mornings are my favorite part of the day. I really enjoy speaking with my customers and taking their orders, and hearing about how their days are going — just talking to the people,” she says.

Gauger has lived in the San Joaquin Valley near Livingston, CA, most of her life. Previously, she was an animal groomer, so she says, produce was “a huge jump for me. I have enjoyed my career in produce. I have met wonderful people, and I have no regrets.”

She has witnessed many changes in the produce industry over the course of her career, while learning about food safety. “I try to learn as much as I can about my customers. Some I deal with on a daily basis, and others through food shows and events that I have been fortunate to attend.”

When not working, she spends as much time as she can with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. “That is the most rewarding use of my spare time,” she says.

She is a loyal reader of Produce Business, and she reads every issue cover to cover. “It stays on my desk for breaktime and lunchtime reading. I have taken trips locally because I read articles about local produce, and I wanted to see the farms. It’s just my favorite magazine.”

As this month’s winner, Gauger will receive a $200 Amazon gift card.