Last updated on July 19th, 2013 at 10:28 am
Frieda’s Inc. was a supporter of the inaugural Orange County Sugar Beet Festival held on July 13 in its hometown of Los Alamitos, Calif.
Frieda’s global headquarters has been based in Los Alamitos since 1994, but its ties to the community run deeper than just business. Frieda’s founder and produce legend Frieda Rapoport Caplan has lived in Los Alamitos since 1958.
“My sister Jackie [Caplan Wiggins, Frieda’s VP and COO] and I grew up in Los Alamitos. It was quite serendipitous that when we outgrew our Los Angeles location and were looking to move, we found the perfect space in our hometown,” says Karen Caplan, Frieda’s President and CEO, in a news release. “We are thrilled to be able to give back to the community that we love so much and has always supported our family and our business.”
Caplan and Frieda’s staff members were on hand at Frieda’s booth at the festival to meet and greet community members. A specialty produce display was set up so parents and children could learn more about and get their hands on specialty items like Organic Finger Lime, Rambutan, Kiwano and Bitter Melon.
Frieda’s also supplied the Festival with specialty ingredients for the sugar beet cooking competition during which contestants were to incorporate Stokes Purple Sweet Potatoes, Black Garlic, Shallots, Cape Gooseberries and a variety of fresh chiles into their dishes.
The Orange County Sugar Beet Festival celebrates Los Alamitos’ founding and historic ties to sugar beet farming and production starting in the early 1900s.
Founded in 1962, Frieda’s was the first wholesale produce company in the U.S. to be founded, owned and operated by a woman, and is still a family- and women-owned business today. Frieda’s has introduced more than 200 specialty items to U.S. produce departments, including Kiwifruit, Spaghetti Squash, Habanero Peppers, Black Garlic and many more. For more information, visit www.friedas.com.
In the feature photo above: Frieda’s team members and founder Frieda Caplan (far right, seated) were on hand to chat with the community during the Sugar Beet Festival.
