Frieda's Inc.
Company type | 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 | Official website |
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 kiwi, alfalfa sprouts, spaghetti squash, jicama, shallots, mangos, Donut® peaches, and various 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 "Chinese gooseberries".[8] Caplan renamed this fruit after the country's flightless bird, the Kiwi.[9] She convinced California growers to plant the fruit and soon California had more than 700 Kiwifruit growers.[10]
Caplan's elder 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 dissatisfied with Frieda's products.[19]
References
- ^ Merryman, John (January 10, 2013). "Mother Gooseberry". Orange Coast.
- ^ Davis, Mark (1992). "An Appetizing Afternoon at Frieda's, Inc. Headquarters". UCLA.
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(help) - ^ "Frieda Caplan founds innovative specialty produce company". Jewish Women's Archive. Retrieved January 10, 2013.
- ^ Caplan, Karen (2001). Purple Kiwi Cookbook. Los Angeles: Karen Caplan, Frieda's Inc. ISBN 0-9703226-0-7. Retrieved January 10, 2013.
- ^ Schrack, Don (July 23, 2010). "Frieda Caplan: gender blind, but laser focused on business". The Packer.
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(help) - ^ Hautala, Laura (August 12, 2012). "A pioneer in the produce field". LA Times.
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(help) - ^ Seager, Susan (June 22, 1986). "Exotic Goodies Produce Big Payoff for L.A. Company". LA Times.
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(help) - ^ Caplan, Frieda (July 1999). "The kiwi to my success". Hemispheres.
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(help) - ^ Munoz, Olivia (October 11, 2006). "Farmers Try to Strike Gold with New Kiwi". The Washington Post.
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(help) - ^ Larson, Erik (November 1989). "Strange Fruits". Inc.
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(help) - ^ Blume, Aimee. "Frieda's Specialty Produce Co. marks golden anniversary". Courier Press. Retrieved January 10, 2013.
- ^ Koss-Feder, Laura (July 17, 2000). "Business, too close to home". Time.
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(help) - ^ "Frieda's Inc". Retrieved January 10, 2013.
- ^ "Fear No Fruit". Fear No Fruit. Retrieved December 28, 2015.
- ^ "Fear No Fruit (2015)". IMDb.com. Retrieved December 28, 2015.
- ^ Semmelman, Elliot. "Frieda Caplan". Temple Beth David. Retrieved January 10, 2013.
- ^ Caplan, Karen; Tristan Miller. "No time for lemons". VA-interactive.
- ^ Kelly, Hazel; Lori Willis. "Enjoy the sweet taste of summer melons". Schnucks. Retrieved January 10, 2013.
- ^ Kelly, Hazel. "Frieda's Inc, Company Profile" (PDF). Frieda's Inc. Retrieved January 10, 2013.