LOS ALAMITOS, CA – Three generations of the Frieda’s Specialty Produce family were recognized for their accomplishments in June.
On Saturday, June 14, founder Frieda Rapoport Caplan was awarded an honorary degree of Doctor of Humane Letters during Cal Poly San Luis Obispo’s commencement ceremony for her achievement as one of the nation’s most successful female entrepreneurs. Frieda introduced unusual, exotic produce to supermarkets, revolutionizing the produce industry and changing the way Americans eat fruits and vegetables.
“It was a great privilege to present Frieda with this degree in recognition of her visionary leadership in the agricultural business industry,” said Cal Poly President Jeffrey Armstrong.
Caplan’s daughter, Frieda’s Vice President and COO Jackie Caplan Wiggins, was on hand at the commencement ceremony, missing the announcement of her own award at the United Fresh Produce Industry Leadership Program Alumni Reunion dinner in Chicago, which took place on the same weekend.
Wiggins was named the recipient of the “Timothy Vaux Outstanding Alumni Leadership Award” by her fellow graduates of the leadership program. The award was established to honor individual graduates of the Leadership Program who have demonstrated exceptional leadership achievements in the areas of Produce Industry Leadership, Industry Service & Outreach, and Community Service.
“Jackie is the embodiment of exceptional leadership, passion, and dedication,” said Victoria Backer, United’s SVP of Member Services. “She is the type of person you depend on. She doesn’t take on responsibilities unless she knows she can come through, and when she does, she does it whole-heartedly.”
Wiggins will be honored during the Leadership Alumni Dinner at the Washington conference in September.
She was in the very first class of this United Fresh Leadership Program in 2005. Her legacy continues as her niece Alex Jackson, sales account manager and daughter of Karen Caplan, president and CEO of Frieda’s, joins 12 other members of Class 20 in July.
One of the most prestigious leadership programs in the produce industry, the United Fresh program is designed for produce industry professionals ready to take the next step in their leadership journey, focusing on developing four core areas: Leadership Development, Business Relationships, Government and Public Affairs, and Media and Public Communication.
“The part I am most excited about is becoming more involved with United Fresh after Class 20 graduates, especially in increasing consumption of fruits and vegetables in children’s diets, which I am extremely passionate about,” said Jackson. “I am also honored to have been selected for this program as a second-generation class member.”
About Frieda’s Inc.
Frieda’s Inc. celebrates more than 50 years of innovation in fresh produce. Founded in 1962 by Frieda Caplan, Frieda's was the first wholesale produce company in the U.S. to be founded, owned, and operated by a woman, and is still a family- and women-owned business today. With the mission of changing the way America eats fruits and vegetables, Frieda’s has introduced more than 200 specialty items to U.S. produce departments, including Kiwifruit, Spaghetti Squash, Habanero Peppers, Black Garlic, Sunchokes®, Stokes Purple® Sweet Potato, and many more. Frieda’s new programs for 2014 include Power of Purple, with a focus on the nutritional value of purple; Frieda’s Flavor Essentials, highlighting and promoting specialty ingredients for everyday cooking; and Eat One Fruit a Day That Scares You, which encourages everyone to #FearNoFruit. Find Frieda’s on Facebook, @FriedasProduce, and Friedas.com.
Source: Frieda’s Inc.