United Fresh Produce Association has announced the three recipients of the 2019 Frieda Rapoport Caplan Family Business Scholarships:
- Richard Castaneda, Project Manager, Field Fresh Foods
- Christopher Ferachi, Operations Analyst, Capitol City Produce
- Kathy Sponheim, Co-Owner/Sales, Michael Family Farms
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. According to the company, the program provides the opportunity for representatives from family-owned, United Fresh member businesses to attend the United Fresh Washington Conference. The three scholarship recipients receive complimentary airfare, hotel and registration to participate in the conference, September 16-18 in Washington, D.C.
(Left to right): Richard Castaneda, Christopher Ferachi, and Kathy Sponheim
“Each year, my sister Karen and I are honored to host the recipients of the Frieda Rapoport Caplan Family Business Scholarship at the United Fresh Washington Conference. During this conference, they’ll have the opportunity to get immersed in the most pressing public policy issues facing the fresh produce industry,” said Jackie Caplan Wiggins, Vice President and COO of Frieda’s, Inc. “The Washington Conference is the perfect destination for passionate professionals to learn about the industry and grow their leadership skills. We look forward to experiencing the event with this year’s scholarship recipients.”
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, United Fresh said. Scholarship recipients will have an opportunity to network with produce industry leaders from across the country, 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 more information:
Mary Coppola
United Fresh Produce Association
Ph: +1 (202) 303-3425
mcoppola@unitedfresh.org
www.unitedfresh.org