Civil Eats Talks ‘Fear No Fruit’

Leading food-policy news source features the Frieda Caplan documentary

LOS ALAMITOS, CA (January 2016) – In “How One Woman Changed the Supermarket Produce Section Forever,” recently published on CivilEats.com, journalist Larissa Zimberoff discusses the success story of Dr. Frieda Rapoport Caplan and the documentary film about her life, “Fear No Fruit.

Civil Eats is a daily news source for critical thought about the American food system and was named the James Beard Foundation’s 2014 Publication of the Year.

Zimberoff was on her United Airlines flight to New York from France when she picked documentary “Fear No Fruit” from in-flight entertainment selection. She was impressed by the story.

“At the time I was working on a story about the future of the supermarket, and it seemed like such a coincidence to find this film. While watching it, I kept thinking what a cool woman Frieda was and that I wanted to share her story,” said Zimberoff.

It’s not just Dr. Caplan’s entrepreneurial spirit and can-do attitude that inspired her. Zimberoff finds the behind-the-scenes look at the produce industry equally intriguing. She connected with the Caplans within hours of having viewed the documentary via Supermarket Guru Phil Lempert, whom she had recently interviewed for another story. (Lempert also appeared in the film.)

“The film was incredibly engaging from start to finish, and it was inspiring to learn about the strong, family-run, and female-led company,” added Zimberoff.

Excerpt from Civil Eats:

“Today, the produce section is the most profitable part of the supermarket; in 2014, sales in fruits and vegetables amounted to approximately $7.34 billion. The extraordinary selection found in the bins today is due, in part, to Caplan, who is credited with introducing the U.S. market to more than 200 fruits and vegetables—everything from fiddleheads to jicama and finger limes.”

“Fear No Fruit” will be available on DVD on January 12 from Amazon, BarnesandNoble.com, BestBuy.com, and KinoLorber.com, and as a Netflix DVD rental. Streaming and digital download are also available on iTunes, HuluPlus, Google Play, Amazon Instant Video, Xbox Video, Vudu, and Vimeo on Demand. Additionally, the film is available for educational and community screenings via Kino Lorber EDU.

Directed by Mark Brian Smith, “Fear No Fruit” chronicles the life of Dr. Caplan, the first woman entrepreneur on the Los Angeles Wholesale Produce Market in the 1960s. While the film focuses on her life and career, it also features interviews with produce business influencers including Rick and Tonya Antle of Tanimura & Antle.

About Frieda’s Inc.

Frieda’s Specialty Produce celebrates a 53-year legacy of inspiring new food experiences for friends, family, and food lovers everywhere. Credited with introducing more than 200 specialty fruits and vegetables to U.S. supermarkets, Frieda’s has helped launch unique items like Stokes Purple® Sweet Potatoes, Sangria Artichokes, Habanero Peppers, Sunchokes®, and Organic Finger Limes. Founded in 1962 by produce industry icon Dr. Frieda Rapoport Caplan, subject of the 2015 documentary “Fear No Fruit,” the family company is now owned and operated by Frieda’s daughters Karen Caplan and Jackie Caplan Wiggins in Orange County, California. Inspire. Taste. Love.