LOS ALAMITOS, CA – Employees at Frieda’s Inc. recently completed a 12-week-long pedometer competition, “Where in the World is Frieda’s,” as part of the company’s ongoing health awareness initiative. The winning employee, Robert Regan, shown here, walked the greatest distance — a total of 792 miles – almost the distance between Los Angeles and Denver! Karen Caplan, president and CEO, presented Regan with a $100 gift card for a sporting goods store.
Sixteen employees participated in the voluntary competition, and the combined total of all the employees was 3,322 miles – further than the distance between Seattle and Miami. In addition to the first place winner, the remaining participants were eligible for a raffle that featured a variety of prizes.
“We tracked the results of the participants on a leader board so everyone could see the progress,” said Ann Marie Hawkins, Frieda’s Health Initiative coordinator. “This was a really fun way to get our employees moving!”
The Frieda’s Healthy Initiative task force continues to plan and develop programs and contests that will foster employee wellness in a fun, competitive environment. Previously, the company sponsored a “Biggest Loser” weight loss competition, and continues to offer free seasonal fruit to all employees on “Wellness Wednesdays.” Individual employees have also committed to maintaining a “Junk Food Free Zone” in the office.
Frieda’s launched the company-wide health awareness initiative in February 2010 to motivate its 75 employees to adopt healthier lifestyles. A group of Frieda’s employees formed a task force to design internal programs and activities centered around three main strategies that correspond directly to the company’s external business plan: changing eating habits, measuring results and education.
Frieda’s is passionate about changing the way America eats. Founded in 1962 by Frieda Caplan, Frieda's, Inc. was the first wholesale produce company in the U.S. to be founded, owned and operated by a woman. Once a small produce stand at the Los Angeles Produce Market, Frieda's has emerged as the nation's premier marketer and distributor of specialty produce and now offers more than 600 specialty items to grocery stores and foodservice distributors throughout the U.S. and Canada. America has Frieda’s to thank for introductions to Kiwifruit, Shallots, Cherimoyas, Donut® Peaches, Sugar Snap™ Peas and Habanero Peppers and the innovations just keep coming.
Source: Frieda's Inc.