About Karen
Karen Caplan
Growth Catalyst and Speaker
Karen Caplan knows jack…fruit, among many other exotic fruits and vegetables. After all, produce is in her blood.
Products like cherimoyas, Sunchokes®, and passion fruit may be unfamiliar to the average person, but Karen grew up eating and selling them. As the firstborn daughter of entrepreneur Dr. Frieda Rapoport Caplan, founder of Frieda’s Specialty Produce, Karen began working with produce at the age of 10.
After graduating with a degree in Agricultural Economics and Business Management from the University of California-Davis, Karen joined Frieda’s full time. Learning the business from the ground up, Karen worked in just about every department at the company, from running the warehouse to sales and marketing. At age 30, Karen was promoted to president and CEO. In 1990 Karen and her sister, Jackie Caplan Wiggins, purchased the company from their mother. With Karen at the helm, Frieda’s became the nation’s leading marketer and distributor of specialty produce.
As a well-respected industry leader, Karen served a three year term as a Director of the Federal Reserve Bank, Los Angeles branch; was the first female chairperson of the United Fresh Produce Association, a national trade group representing the produce industry in Washington DC. She was the first woman president of the Southern California based Fresh Produce & Floral Council. She was chair and vice-chair of the USDA Fruit & Vegetable Industry Advisory Committee and served on the board of Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County. She recently completed a 6 year term on the board of the California Agricultural Leadership Foundation, served on the University of California Agricultural Issues Center board and currently chairs the Huntley College Advisory Board at Cal Poly Pomona University. She served as President of The Trusteeship (The International Women’s Foundation of Southern California) from 2018 – 2020 and is a current Global board Member of the International Women’s Foundation based in Washington DC.
Karen is also an innovative visionary. Her insights on the produce industry, leadership, and food trends are featured in publications such as the Wall Street Journal, Time Magazine, INC. Magazine, And Now U Know and the Shelby Report. She is a frequent keynote speaker and panelist, including appearances at Bitten LA, THRIVE AgTech, and the Produce Marketing Association Fresh Summit. Her accomplishments have earned her industry recognitions such as the 2015 Women in Produce honoree and the 2016 Jim Hicks Agricultural Achievement Award from CSU-Cal Poly Pomona.
Beyond the industry, Karen serves as a role model for women entrepreneurs, as well as small and family-owned businesses. She has addressed the Los Angeles/Long Beach area of the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Business program and was the keynote speaker at the University of La Verne CEO Summit and the Las Vegas Food Expo. Karen is a frequent guest speaker at local universities.
Karen is an enthusiastic home cook, loves to entertain, and is a passionate foodie and world traveler. She also writes a weekly blog, “What’s on Karen’s Plate?”. You can find her on LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram.
Affiliations and Awards
Business and Community Organizations/Activities
2021-present
Global Board Member, International Women’s Forum
2018-2020
President, The Trusteeship (Los Angeles Chapter of the International Women’s Forum)
2017-present
Chair, Dean’s Advisory Council Member, College of Agriculture, California Polytechnic State University, Pomona, Calif.
2017-2023
Board Member, California Agriculture Leadership Foundation
2010-present
Board Member, The Trusteeship (Los Angeles Chapter of the International Women’s Forum)
2008-present
Student Mentor, PMA’s Foundation for Industry Talent
2004-present
Steering Committee, UC Davis Agribusiness Seminar
1997-2022
Advisory Board Member, Agricultural Issues Center, University of California
2016-2017
Board Member, Second Harvest Food Bank, Orange County, CA
2014-2017
Board Member, United Fresh Start Foundation, Fundraising Chair
1999-2017
Member, Vistage CEO Group
2012-2015
Dean’s Advisory Council Member, College of Agriculture, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, Calif.
2013
Global Youth Business Plan Competition Judge, Academy of Business Leadership (ABL), University of Southern California (USC)
2013
Co-Chairman, United Fresh Foundation, Let’s Move Salad Bars to California Schools
2010-2013
Board Member, Produce Marketing Association Foundation
2011
Curriculum Review Task Force, California Agricultural Leadership Foundation
2004-2006
Director, Federal Reserve Bank, 12th District, Los Angeles, three-year term
2003-2006
Vice Chairman, USDA Fruit & Vegetable Industry Advisory Committee (Chairman, 2005-2006)
2002-2003
National Chairman, United Fresh Fruit & Vegetable Association
2002
Chairman Elect, United Fresh Fruit & Vegetable Association
2002-present
Donor, EARTH University Scholarship Program, Costa Rica
2001
Elected Board Member, United Fresh Fruit & Vegetable Association, three-year term
1997-1999
Member, Small Business Council, U.S.
1998
Elected Board Member, United Fresh Fruit & Vegetable Association, three-year term
1996-1998
Board Member, National Foundation for Women Business Owners
1996-1997
President, National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO), Los Angeles Chapter, 2nd term
1996-1997
Board Member, Los Alamitos Chamber of Commerce
1996
Member, The Committee of 200
1996
Board Member, Community Advisory Panel, Pacific Enterprises
1995-1996
President, National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO), Los Angeles Chapter
1995
Advisory Board Member, Women In Business, Los Angeles Chapter
1995
Chairman, White House Conference on Small Business Task Force (Southern California)
1995
Honorary Chair, “An Income of Her Own,” Los Angeles seminar to teach entrepreneurial training to teen women
1995
Founding Member, C.O.M.B.O. (Coalition of Minority Business Organizations)
1995
Elected Board Member, The Employers’ Group
1995
Elected Board Member, United Fresh Fruit & Vegetable Association (National Trade Association), two-year term
1994-1995
President Elect, National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO), Los Angeles Chapter
1993
Founder, “Women in Produce,” produce industry seminar for women to network and share ideas
1993
Founder, Frieda’s Agricultural Scholarship Award, scholarship to assist female agricultural students with scholastic expenses
1993
Invited as Member, The Trusteeship (International Women’s Forum)
1992
International Marketing Consultant, Ben Gurion University of the Negev, Israel
1992
Facilitator, “An Income of Her Own,” San Francisco seminar for mentoring young women
1992
Board Member, National Association of Women Business Owners
1992
Vice President, Produce/Floral Division, City of Hope Food Industries Circle
1992
Investor, Los Angeles Women’s Foundation Workplace Giving Program
1992
Member, International Association of Culinary Professionals
1991
Women’s Network for Entrepreneurial Training Mentoring Program
1991
Member, National Association of Women Business Owners
1991
U.C. Davis Cal Aggie Alumni Association Board
1991
Mills College Alumni Association
1991
Member, American Institute of Wine and Food
1990-1991
First-ever Female Chairman, Fresh Produce Council, Los Angeles
1990
Board Member, University of California, Davis, Institute of Government Affairs
1990
Co-chairperson, City of Hope Food Industry Fundraising Campaign
1988
Retail Board Member, Produce Marketing Association, three-year term
1982
Co-creator, Fresh Produce Council’s Fresh & Fit fair, annual conference for food professionals, retailers, educators, and nutritionists
Awards/Honors
2016
Leadership Honoree, Girl Scouts of Orange County, Calif.
2016
Jim Hicks Agricultural Achievement Award, Cal Poly Pomona
2016
Nominee, National Philanthropy Day, Orange County, Calif.
2015
Women in Produce Honoree, United Fresh Fruit & Vegetable Association
2013
National Woman Business Owners (NWBOC) “Decades of Excellence” Hall of Fame
2013
“Best in Show,” Southeast Produce Council’s Southern Exposure Expo
2012
Progressive Grocer Category Captain, Specialty Produce
2012
“Best in Show, In-line booth,” Produce Marketing Association Fresh Summit
2011
Kroger Central Division’s Vendor of the Year, Produce Merchandising
2011
Frieda’s Inc., Top 20 Community Donor Award, Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County
2009
Frieda’s Inc., first recipient of the Community Partner Award from the Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County
2009
Family-Owned Business Award from the “Orange County Business Journal”
2008
Featured in UC Davis Centennial Exhibit, “Dream Big,” as one of 100 chosen alumni who have helped shaped California
2003
The Packer Newspaper Produce Person of the Year, awarded at the annual United Fresh Produce Association Convention
2003
Ethics in America Business of the Year Award, Los Alamitos, Calif., Chamber of Commerce
2003
Pathways Foundation Honoree, Mission Viejo, Calif.
2001
Mills Graduate of Distinction, Mills College
2001
Deborah Award Recipient, Anti-Defamation League, Los Angeles
2000
Women In Business Award 2000, “Orange County Business Journal”
2000
Regional Finalist, General Excellence Category, “Working Woman” magazine /
Bank One Working Woman Entrepreneurial Excellence Awards
1999
Regional Finalist, Innovation Category, “Working Woman” magazine
Entrepreneurial Excellence Awards
1999
Regional Finalist, General Excellence Category, “Working Woman” magazine Entrepreneurial Excellence Awards
1999
Marketing Excellence Award, “Produce Business” magazine
1998
Listed in “500 Largest Women-Owned Businesses,” Working Woman 500 Congress
1997
Small Business Advocate of the Year, U.S. Small Business Administration Region IX
1996
Listed in “10 Women Making a Difference,” “Orange County Metro” magazine
1996
Organization Leadership Award, Asian Business League, California Award to NAWBO-LA
1996
Bringing Up Daughters Differently (BUDDY) Award, National Organization for Women Legal Defense & Education Fund
1994
Marketing Excellence Award, “Produce Business” magazine
1994
Business Owner of the Year Award, National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO)
1993
Business Woman of the Year Award, Women’s Referral Service
1993
Marketing Excellence Award, “Produce Business” magazine
1993
Years of Service Award, Produce Marketing Association
1992
Official Spokesperson, Kraft Good Seasons fat-free dressing
1992
Marketing Excellence Award, “Produce Business” magazine
1992
Pacesetter Award for Entrepreneur of the Year, Roundtable for Women in Foodservice
1992
Finalist, Supporter of Entrepreneurship, “Inc.” Magazine and Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Awards, Los Angeles Division
1992
Semifinalist, Veuve Cliquot Woman of the Year Awards, sponsored by the National Association of Women Business Owners
1991
Corporation That Makes a Difference Award, International Women’s Forum, Washington, D.C.
1991
Selected by “Los Angeles Business Journal” for “Why Do Business in LA?” advertising campaign
1991
“Good Scout Award,” Boy Scouts of America, Western Los Angeles County Council
1990
Marketing Excellence Award, “Produce Business” magazine
1990
Pacesetter Finalist, Roundtable for Women in Foodservice
1989
One of 10 “Outstanding Young Working Women,” “Glamour” magazine
1989
Pacesetter Finalist, Roundtable for Women in Foodservice
1989
Woman of Distinction Award, Soroptomist Club, Downey, Calif.