NEWARK, DEL. – The Produce Marketing Association’s Center for Growing Talent has partnered with Karen Caplan and Jackie Caplan Wiggins to found the Frieda Rapoport Caplan Women’s Fresh Perspectives Scholarship.  

Named after the late industry legend Frieda Rapoport Caplan — the mother of Karen Caplan and Jackie Caplan Wiggins — the scholarship will enable a woman in the industry to attend the event each year at no cost. This year’s conference will be held Sept. 12-14. 

Frieda Rapoport Caplan was a speaker at the very first Women’s Fresh Perspectives Conference and more recently received the Women’s Catalyst Award at the Women’s Fresh Perspectives Breakfast in October 2019.  Caplan passed away the following January and the annual award was renamed in her honor.  

“As we finished off 2020, it was a challenging year for everyone in business, we felt it would be really awesome to memorialize and honor Mom by finding a way to give back to the industry and the foundation,” said Karen Caplan, chief executive officer of Frieda’s Specialty Produce. “Jackie and I decided to establish a scholarship to allow a woman who wouldn’t normally have the opportunity to attend the conference to do so – all expenses paid.” 

The scholarship is designed for women in the industry who embody Frieda’s spirit of action, excellence and dedication to personal and professional development.  The 2021 scholarship recipient should meet a few criteria, including being a first-time attendee of the Women’s Fresh Perspectives Conference and employed in any segment of the produce and floral supply chain both at the time of the application and the time of the conference. Further details on who should apply and the live application form, can be found here. Applications are live now and due by May 31, 2021 for this year’s consideration. 

“Many of us will remember Frieda as a transformative leader, a mentor, and an enduring supporter of personal and professional development,” said Megan Nash, director of programs at Center for Growing Talent. “It is so fitting that in the years to come, many women will be able to pursue their own development at the Women’s Fresh Perspectives Conference because of this lasting gift.  We are so grateful to Karen, Jackie and the Caplan family for their generous contribution and we’re honored to be a part of the work to ensure the legacy of Frieda Rapoport Caplan is never forgotten.” 

The Frieda Rapoport Caplan Women’s Fresh Perspectives Scholarship is one of two scholarships available to produce and floral professionals through the Center for Growing Talent. The Tip Murphy Scholarship for Leadership Excellence is available for young professionals to cover the cost of attendance to one of the Center for Growing Talent’s programs including the Emerging Leaders Program. Those interested in applying can do so here, all applications are due by May 31.