Meet Diane Dallas—the real live person that the Diane sweetpotato is named after.
It happened back in 1990, when Diane worked with the California Sweetpotato Growers and her cousin “Sweetpotato Joe” Alvernaz (who was also grower Matt Alvernaz’s grandfather). Joe had come up with a new variety of red-skinned, orange-fleshed sweetpotato and needed a name. He chose hers.
Why? Was she his favorite cousin? Did she have red hair? “I have no idea,” she says. But all these years later, she’s still honored—and still gets a kick out of sharing the fun fact with others.
Diane had deep roots in the business even before then, however. Her dad, grandfather, and uncle started farming sweetpotatoes in the 1940s and ultimately started their own sweetpotato packing and shipping business as well. In the late 90s, Diane joined them at Dallas Distributing to work in sales. And that’s where you’ll find her to this day.
“I grew up in this industry so it’s kind of like second nature,” Diane explains. “I couldn’t imagine doing anything else. I love all the buyers—the people I deal with make it pretty awesome.”
Although she often works from early morning into the evening, Diane somehow finds time to spend with family and friends—including two sons, nine grandchildren, and one precious great granddaughter—as well as travel, work as an Avon representative, be involved with the Livingston High reunion, and even serve on the committee to celebrate the city’s centennial in 2022.
“My plate is definitely full and I enjoy every minute of it.”
Given Diane’s history, she naturally has a family favorite sweetpotato recipe—her grandma Mary Dallas’s Sweetpotato Cake. (We’ll post it soon.)
Made with Diane sweetpotatoes, of course.
