Frieda's Inc.

Frieda's Inc.
Privately owned
Industry Foods
Founded 1962
Headquarters Los Alamitos, California, United States of America
Key people
 Frieda Caplan, Karen Caplan, Jackie Caplan Wiggins
Products Fruit, vegetables, gourmet items
Website www.friedas.com

Frieda’s Inc. is a privately owned company, based in Los Alamitos, California, which markets and distributes specialty produce.[1] It was founded in 1962 by Frieda Rapoport Caplan.[2] It was the first wholesale produce company in the United States to be founded, owned, and operated by a woman.[3] Frieda’s Inc. is credited with introducing many produce items to the U.S. including the Kiwifruit, Brown Mushrooms, Alfalfa Sprouts, Spaghetti Squash, Jicama, Shallots, Mangos, Donut® Peaches, and multiple Asian and Latin specialties.[4]

History

In 1956, Frieda Caplan first worked as a bookkeeper at Giumarra Bros. Fruit Co. Later on, she began selling Brown Mushrooms, which were a specialty item in those days.[5] After the success of selling mushrooms, Caplan opened her own company in 1962 with mushrooms as the primary item. She started with a small stand at the Los Angeles wholesale produce market.[6]

Once titled the “Queen of Kiwi,” Caplan gained international recognition from bringing the Kiwifruit to the United States.[7] This fruit was discovered in New Zealand and originally known as the Chinese Gooseberries.[8] Caplan renamed this fruit after the country’s flightless bird, the Kiwi.[9] She then worked on convincing California growers to plant the fruit. She was successful and soon California had more than 700 Kiwifruit growers.[10]

Frieda Caplan’s eldest daughter, Karen Caplan, was promoted to President and CEO in 1986. Jackie Caplan Wiggins, Frieda’s younger daughter, serves as Vice President and Business Chief Operating Officer.[11] In 1990, Karen Caplan and Jackie Caplan Wiggins became owners of Frieda's, Inc.[12] In that same year, the name of the company changed from Frieda’s Finest / Produce Specialties Inc. to Frieda’s Inc.[13]

In 2015, the film Fear No Fruit was released. The film chronicles Caplan’s influence on American cuisine.[14][15]

Products

Frieda’s Inc. distributes more than 600 exotic produce and specialty gourmet items to grocery stores and foodservice distributors.[16] Hundreds of the products are labeled with detailed descriptions, usage and handling tips, and offers for free recipes via mail or email.[17] Frieda's, Inc. has a 100% customer satisfaction guarantee.[18] For every consumer complaint, the company will issue a full refund, plus postage to any customer who is not satisfied with Frieda’s products.[19]

References

  1. ↑ Merryman, John (March 1995). "Mother Gooseberry". Orange Coast.
  2. ↑ Davis, Mark (1992). "An Appetizing Afternoon at Frieda's, Inc. Headquarters". UCLA.
  3. ↑ "Frieda Caplan founds innovative specialty produce company". Jewish Women's Archive. Retrieved 10 January 2013.
  4. ↑ Caplan, Karen (2001). Purple Kiwi Cookbook. Los Angeles: Karen Caplan, Frieda's Inc. ISBN 0-9703226-0-7.
  5. ↑ Schrack, Don (23 July 2010). "Frieda Caplan: gender blind, but laser focused on business". The Packer.
  6. ↑ Hautala, Laura (12 August 2012). "A pioneer in the produce field". LA Times.
  7. ↑ Seager, Susan (22 June 1986). "Exotic Goodies Produce Big Payoff for L.A. Company". LA Times.
  8. ↑ Caplan, Frieda (July 1999). "The kiwi to my success". Hemispheres.
  9. ↑ Munoz, Olivia (11 October 2006). "Farmers Try to Strike Gold with New Kiwi". The Washington Post.
  10. ↑ Larson, Erik (November 1989). "Strange Fruits". Inc.
  11. ↑ Blume, Aimee. "Frieda's Specialty Produce Co. marks golden anniversary". Courier Press. Retrieved 10 January 2013.
  12. ↑ Koss-Feder, Laura (17 July 2000). "Business, too close to home". Time.
  13. ↑ "Frieda's Inc". Retrieved 10 January 2013.
  14. ↑ "Fear No Fruit". Fear No Fruit. Retrieved 2015-12-28.
  15. ↑ "Fear No Fruit (2015)". IMDB. Retrieved 28 December 2015.
  16. ↑ Semmelman, Elliot. "Frieda Caplan". Temple Beth David. Retrieved 10 January 2013.
  17. ↑ Caplan, Karen; Tristan Miller. "No time for lemons". VA-interactive.
  18. ↑ Kelly, Hazel; Lori Willis. "Enjoy the sweet taste of summer melons". Schnucks. Retrieved 10 January 2013.
  19. ↑ Kelly, Hazel. "Frieda's Inc, Company Profile" (PDF). Frieda's Inc. Retrieved 10 January 2013.
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