Frieda Rapoport Caplan

Frieda Rapoport Caplan
Born	Frieda Rapoport (1923-08-10)August 10, 1923 Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Died	January 18, 2020(2020-01-18) (aged 96) Los Alamitos, California, U.S.
Nationality	American
Occupation	Businesswoman, entrepreneur
Known for	Introducing and popularizing exotic fruits and vegetables in the United States
Children	2

Frieda Rapoport Caplan (August 10, 1923 – January 18, 2020) was an American businesswoman and entrepreneur, best known for introducing and popularizing exotic fruits and vegetables in the United States. She was the founder of Frieda's Inc., a specialty produce company.

Early life and education

Frieda Rapoport was born on August 10, 1923, in Los Angeles, California. She attended University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), where she earned a degree in political science.

Career

In 1962, Caplan founded Frieda's Inc. at the Los Angeles Wholesale Produce Market. She started by selling mushrooms, but soon expanded her offerings to include a variety of exotic fruits and vegetables. Caplan is credited with introducing kiwifruit, spaghetti squash, jicama, and habanero peppers to the American market.

Caplan's innovative marketing strategies and dedication to educating consumers about exotic produce helped her company grow. She was known for her distinctive purple packaging, which made Frieda's products easily recognizable.

Legacy

Frieda Caplan's contributions to the produce industry have been widely recognized. She received numerous awards, including the PMA Hall of Fame and the United Fresh Produce Association Lifetime Achievement Award. Her work has had a lasting impact on the availability and popularity of exotic fruits and vegetables in the United States.

Personal life

Caplan was married and had two daughters, Karen Caplan and Jackie Caplan Wiggins, who both joined the family business. She passed away on January 18, 2020, in Los Alamitos, California.

Related pages

• Frieda's Inc.
• Kiwifruit
• Spaghetti squash
• Jicama
• Habanero pepper