Industry Foods Founded 1962 | Website Official website Type of business Privately owned | |
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Key people Frieda Caplan, Karen Caplan, Jackie Caplan Wiggins Products Fruit, vegetables, gourmet items Headquarters Los Alamitos, California, United States | ||
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Frieda’s Inc. is a privately owned company, based in Los Alamitos, California, which markets and distributes specialty produce.
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It was founded in 1962 by Frieda Rapoport Caplan. It was the first wholesale produce company in the United States to be founded, owned, and operated by a woman.
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.
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.
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.
Once titled the “Queen of Kiwi,” Caplan gained international recognition from bringing the Kiwifruit to the United States. This fruit was discovered in New Zealand and originally known as "Chinese gooseberries". Caplan renamed this fruit after the country's flightless bird, the Kiwi. She convinced California growers to plant the fruit and soon California had more than 700 Kiwifruit growers.
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. In 1990, Karen Caplan and Jackie Caplan Wiggins became owners of Frieda's, Inc. In that same year, the name of the company changed from Frieda’s Finest/Produce Specialties Inc. to Frieda’s Inc.
In 2015, the film Fear No Fruit was released. The film chronicles Caplan's influence on American cuisine.
Products
Frieda's Inc. distributes more than 600 exotic produce and specialty gourmet items to grocery stores and foodservice distributors. Hundreds of the products are labeled with detailed descriptions, usage and handling tips, and offers for free recipes via mail or email. Frieda's, Inc. has a 100% customer satisfaction guarantee.
For every consumer complaint, the company will issue a full refund, plus postage to any customer who is dissatisfied with Frieda's products.