Darryl Quaresma — a third generation farmer that parlayed starting work in the family dairy at the age 12 into a multi-faceted agricultural businesses — is being inducted into the Manteca Hall of Fame.
The induction dinner and ceremonies take place Saturday, May 9, at the Manteca Senior Center, 295 Cherry Lane. Tickets are $60 apiece and are available through the Manteca Boys & Girls Club, 545 W. Alameda St., or by calling 239.5437.
Quaresma is being inducted in the field of agriculture.
Other inductees are Aaron “Bubba Black” Goodwin, the arts; Earl Pimentel, special recognition; Dr. Craig Bobson, health care; Ruth Anne Boggs, education; Donna Shannon, at large; Albert Eugene Pagnucci, government; Lindsay Munoz, education; John “Jack” Thomson, athletics; Robert “Budge” and Arlene Brown, business; and Bianca Jacklich, community service.
The inductee is also a fourth-generation business owner.
Quaresma along with his father and brothers built a successful 1,400 cow dairy in Manteca. After 26 years, Quaresma sold his ownership of the dairy in 2000 to one of his brothers to start 2Q Farming Inc. and 1Q Farms Inc.
He is currently farming numerous acres of almonds, grapes, corn, and winter silage in San Joaquin and Merced counties. The 2Q business provides custom almond harvesting services to land owners in San Joaquin and Stanislaus counties.
Quaresma along with his wife Di also own California Almonds LLC. The firm markets almonds, almond-related products, and almond butter. The firm’s products are sold by SaveMart Supermarkets and via the Internet. They are also partners with other principals in Molly’s Milk Truck Beverages that produces almond milk as well as iced coffee beverages sold in more than 300 stores in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, and other locations on the East Coast and in New England.
The 1980 Manteca High graduate earned a certificate in 1982 at Modesto Junior College. He was the 1980 California State Farmer in 1980 due to his exceptional farming skills. Quaresma was president of the Manteca High FFA chapter in 1979, and served on the dairy judging team for the FFA in 1982.
He has served on the Manteca Chamber of Commerce board since 2009 and was president of the business organization in 2009-2010. Quaresma is currently chairman of the Oversight Board of the Manteca Redevelopment Agency.
