United Fresh Produce Association has released the four recipients of the 2021 Frieda Rapoport Caplan Family Business Scholarships.
They are:
- Joseph F. Basciani, co-owner and CFO of Basciani Foods Inc.;
- Curtis Griffin, assistant grower for Griffin Ranches Inc.;
- Lianna Tilton, quality assurance and food safety supervisor for Braga Fresh Family Farms; and
- Leticia Velazquez, Midwest operations manager for The FruitGuys.
The Frieda Rapoport Caplan Family Business Scholarship Program was founded in 2001 by sisters Karen Caplan and Jackie Caplan Wiggins, in honor of their mother, Frieda Rapoport Caplan. The program provides the opportunity for representatives from family-owned, United Fresh member businesses to attend the United Fresh Washington Conference.
The four scholarship recipients receive complimentary airfare, hotel and registration to participate in the conference, Sept. 20-22 in Washington, D.C., and will be recognized at the Wednesday morning general session.
“We are thrilled to host this year’s scholarship recipients back in the nation’s capital for the industry’s most important event for the benefit and vitality of the produce industry,” said Jackie Caplan Wiggins, VP and COO of Frieda’s. “These passionate industry professionals will have a great opportunity to learn from Washington Conference veterans and other industry leaders on the most pressing public policy issues, while contributing their own diverse perspectives and experiences.”
The United Fresh Washington Conference brings together hundreds of produce leaders from all sectors of the industry for education on critical industry issues and meetings with members of Congress, their staffs and top regulatory officials. Scholarship recipients will have an opportunity to network with produce industry leaders from across the country, learn effective strategies for sharing the produce industry’s voice at the Produce Advocacy Bootcamp, as well as gain an understanding of the political process and how to advocate for their priority issues.
Each year, a scholarship committee reviews applicants for the program using several criteria, including each candidate’s interest in advocacy work and their commitment to the produce industry.
For information on the Washington Conference, visit unitedfresh.org.
