Frieda Rapoport Caplan Family Scholarship brings family-owned businesses to Washington

The International Fresh Produce Association has announced recipients of the Frieda Rapoport Caplan Family Business Scholarship Program.

The scholarship provides airfare, hotel and registration for representatives from family-owned businesses to attend the IFPA Washington Conference for the first time, according to a news release.

This year’s winners are: 

• Billy Itule, senior management, Willy Itule Produce Inc. (Phoenix, Ariz.)  
• Amanda Horney, business development, London Fruit (Pharr, Texas)   
• Marco Ochoa, chief financial officer, Legend Produce (Scottsdale, Ariz.)  
• Camile Matrana, sales representative, Matrana's Produce (Westwego, La.)  

The program was launched in 2001 by Karen Caplan and Jackie Caplan Wiggins of Frieda’s Inc. in honor of their mother, Dr. Frieda Rapoport Caplan.  

“We’re proud to empower these incredible leaders to attend the Washington Conference in September” Karen Caplan, former CEO of Frieda’s Branded Produce, said in the release. “This year is especially critical with so much relevant legislation on the docket for the fresh produce and floral supply chain. It is imperative that all industry members are able to come to Washington, hone their voice and advocate for their business and the industry as a whole at the federal level.”   

The Washington Conference is taking place this year from Sept. 12-15 and will feature a number of ways for the scholarship recipients to learn from and engage with congressional leaders, administration officials and industry colleagues, according to the release.   

The conference brings together hundreds of produce leaders from all sectors of the industry to network, learn and advocate for the produce and floral industry. The education sessions are designed to inform and onboard attendees as they learn more about how to navigate the political process and advocate for their priority issues, the release said.

A few of the speakers for this year’s sessions include Sen. Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich., chairwoman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry; Rep. G.T. Thompson, R-Pa., chair of the House Agriculture Committee; election expert Charlie Cook; Mark Moorman, director of the Office of Food Safety at the Food and Drug Administration; and the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative’s Rob Ahern.   

“One of the most important roles these scholarship recipients will play is in sharing their business’ stories and concerns with members of Congress and officials,” Angela Tiwari, director of grassroots and political affairs at IFPA, said in the release. “These stories are often the most memorable input lawmakers have when considering their votes on issues that impact the industry. We need as many of our industry perspectives represented and are grateful for the Caplan family’s continued generosity in helping this important segment of our members participate.”  

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, according to the release.

For more information on the Frieda Rapoport Caplan Family Business Scholarship Program, contact Angela Tiwari atiwari@freshproduce.com.

Registration is currently open for the IFPA Washington Conference.