My Field Trip to Frieda’s Produce
I was so excited to have the opportunity to visit Frieda’s Produce recently. Located in Los Alamitos, California, it’s only a 45-minute jaunt from my home. I’ve been a huge fan of Frieda’s, because they celebrate gorgeous plants, in every color, texture, flavor, and aroma imaginable. Plus, Frieda’s is a very special company powered by creative, dynamic, powerful women—in fact three generations of them! Here I am pictured with Frieda Caplan herself, still going strong at the office every day since she founded her company in 1962.
When you tour Frieda’s, you’re greeted with walls of fabulous photos, chronicling the development of this family-owned company.
Photo of the Caplan women at Frieda’sCheck out this photo of the Caplan women. The company is operated by Frieda’s daughters, Karen Caplan and Jackie Caplan Wiggins. Karen is President and CEO, Jackie is Vice President and COO, and Frieda serves as Chairman of the Board. In 2011, the third generation of Frieda’s began with the arrival of Alex Jackson, Karen’s daughter, who joined the family business and now serves as an Account Manager in the sales department.
Frieda, when she first started her produce companyHere’s a beautiful photo of Frieda Caplan, an icon in the produce industry, known as the first woman to own a produce company in the United States. She is also one of the first wholesalers to attach her brand to produce items and successfully market specialty fruits and vegetables to American consumers. Frieda’s Inc. is credited with introducing such table-staples as Kiwifruit, Brown Mushrooms, Spaghetti Squash, Shallots, Donut Peaches, and a wide variety of Latin and Asian specialties.
These fabulous posters at the company headquarters features fabulous Caplan women, too. A framed article of Frieda, referred to as the Kiwi Queen!
Frieda’s has a purple vibe going on. It’s visible throughout the office, and I just love this banner proclaiming The Power of Purple!
The test kitchen even sports a purple Kitchen Aid mixer! A mural in the office gives a timeline of produce offerings at Frieda’s. Warehouse tour at Frieda’sI took a tour of the immaculate warehouse at Frieda’s, which supplies specialty produce—more than 600 varieties of exotic fruits, gourmet vegetables, and unique companion items—to grocery retailers and foodservice distributors.
I got to meet Karen Caplan in her office, too! Frieda was even featured on David Letterman, showing him exotic fruits!My field trip helped further cement my love for all things plants! Find inspiration in something new and exciting every day!