Jackie: I enjoyed working summer and winter breaks at the company, but I didn’t plan to live in Southern California after college. During my travels overseas after graduating, when I spoke about my mom’s company, everyone thought that it was so cool that my family had its own business and thought I was crazy not to want to join it. Once I returned to the U.S. I realized that I did have a tremendous opportunity and called my sister asking for a job. That was more than 25 years ago and I have never regretted it.

Q. As sisters and colleagues, how are you different and how are you alike?
Karen: We are both passionate about what we do. We're hard working and admit to learning many things watching our mom in business. As far as differences, I'm the "big picture" person. I know where I want the company to go (strategy), but am not strong on the on the process side (tactical). Jackie is perfect at that. We make a perfect team!
Jackie: Our management styles are very different. Karen is much more of a people person than I am. She has a way to gently get people to do things. Me, I'm more like a bulldog. We actually rely on each other to provide balance. When I am being too tough, she'll coach me. When she is being a bit too "nice," I coach her. We really do complement each other.

Q. What's the best thing about working in produce?
Karen: What I do is healthy, tastes good and is good for you! After all, everyone has to eat! So, I spread joy and happiness while I am working!
Jackie: No day is EVER the same. I also like the fact that we sell things that are healthy and good for you. Finally, when it comes to bringing food to a potluck, I usually get assigned to bring fruits or vegetables; my friends look forward to what weird and unusual products that I share.

Q. What’s your favorite fruit? Vegetable?
Karen: Nectarines, passion fruit; eggplant (I love to grill veggies on the barbecue every time we entertain -- inspired from a trip to Berlin, Germany several years ago.)
Jackie: Grapes, bananas, strawberries, Donut® Peaches and Asian pears, because they are easy to eat. I love crispy romaine lettuce and I eat carrots every day.

Q. What are some of the benefits of a running a family business? What are some of the challenges?
Karen: I get to see my mom and sister every day -- and we have a wonderful relationship! I realize this is quite unusual for most people in a family business, but my mom is a natural mentor and coach and has always been very supportive. It was especially nice the past two summers, for my eldest daughter, Alex to join us in the family business. We got to have lunch together every day!
Jackie: It's a treat to see my mom and sister every day. The fact that we get along so well is probably a bit unusual. Yes, we sometimes disagree, but we aren't afraid to challenge each other.

Q. Any great stories to share?
Karen: My mom gave me my favorite business advice when I used to do telephone sales for the company. I was getting ready to travel to meet a client at a trade show, and she said, "Honey, they never look as cute in person as they sound on the phone." And she was right!
Jackie: One of my favorite stories was when I was in the first grade. The teacher was showing photos of people in different professions. One of the pictures was of a produce manager. I quickly jumped up and said, "My mom is in the produce business." The next thing I knew, a field trip was arranged for my class of first and second graders to come to the Los Angeles Wholesale produce market. We toured the Frieda's facility. Mom even had the train engineer come back when we were there so he could drive his engine along the back side of our dock. We were given potted chives, pineapples and kiwifruit. Of course, no one knew that you didn't put the pineapples on top of the kiwifruit. By the time we got back to our school, all the kiwis were smushed, so it wasn't until years later that I actually got to taste my first kiwifruit!

 

POMEGRANATES – California-grown fruit in good supply. Pomegranates are the quintessential fall item, and nothing beats the fruit in its fresh, whole form (loaded with anti-oxidants!).
SQUASH – Celebrate autumn’s bounty with a variety of colorful, flavorful hard-shelled squash: Green Acorn, Butternut, Spaghetti Squash, Kabocha, Delicata, Sweet Dumpling, Carnival, Red Kuri, Buttercup, Gold Nugget and Turban.
FUYU PERSIMMON – California Persimmon season is almost in full swing. The Fuyu variety can be eaten fresh out of hand or used for desserts and baking.
FALL ORNAMENTALS AND VARIETY PUMPKINS – Decorative fall items include mini orange and white pumpkins, Indian corn, colorful gourds and even miniature hay bales. Specialty decorative pumpkins include Fairytale and Cindarella varieties. Time to get festive!
BLACK RADISH – Season is just starting. Classic use for all you native New Yorkers, is to serve thin slices of Black Radish topped with chopped liver. Yum!

COMING INTO SEASON
MEYER LEMONS – Small shipments of California fruit now available, but market is high.
QUINCE – New-crop California fruit has just started. Quince has really made a comeback in recent years. Turns a beautiful pink color when slowly cooked. Perfect for preserves and chutneys.
NEW ZEALAND HONEYCOMB – We have good supplies from our boutique New Zealand beekeeper. These make a perfect holiday gift basket item.
DRIED NUTRA and BLACK MISSION FIGS – California fruit will start in about a week.
GREEK STRING AND CROWN FIGS – Will start in 2 to 3 weeks.
BUDDHA’S HAND – California fruit to start in a couple of weeks.

LIMITED/GOING OUT OF SEASON
LYCHEE – Import season is done. We hear rumors that there is California-grown Lychee, but price appears to be in the stratosphere.
YELLOW SEEDLESS WATERMELON – Very limited supplies available.
SPECIALTY MELONS – French Kiss® Melons and HAMI (Pearl) MELONS – Limited.
RHUBARB – Washington field-grown is done for the season. Hot House Rhubarb will start in January.

Also try Frieda’s Star Spangled Spuds and Organic Klamath Pearl Potatoes for more specialty spud options. Currently available for purchase online at Shop @ Frieda’s, or request some from your grocery store's produce manager today!