International Fresh Produce Association (IFPA) is pleased to announce the three recipients of the 2022 Frieda Rapoport Caplan Family Business Scholarships:
- Mayra Vazquez, partner/director of businesses development & sales, Latin Specialties LLC
- Jesse Wiggins, COO & sales, Wiggins Farms
- Bianca Kaprielian, CEO & co-founder, Fruit World
The 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 IFPA member businesses to attend the IFPA Washington Conference. The three scholarship recipients receive complimentary airfare, hotel, and registration to participate in the conference on September 26-28 in Washington, D.C., and will be recognized during the General Session Breakfast on Wednesday, September 28th.
“We are immensely proud to host some of fresh produce’s most passionate and determined professionals in the nation’s capital for the only event that empowers hundreds to advocate for their businesses and shape the future of the industry,” said Jackie Caplan Wiggins, vice-president, and COO of Frieda’s, Inc. “With the many challenges faced by our industry, it is critically important for these individuals and their companies to learn how to advocate for their business at the federal level.”
IFPA’s 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 staff, top regulatory officials, and Embassies. 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 while in Washington and year-round back home.
Explore the conference schedule.
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 on the Frieda Rapoport Caplan Family Business Scholarship Program, contact Nikki Wootten, [email protected], education & programs manager, talent development. For information on the Washington Conference, click here.
For more information:
Siobhan May
IFPA
+1 (302) 781-5855
[email protected]
www.freshproduce.com