The United Fresh Foundation Center for Leadership Excellence has named the four recipients of the 2010 Frieda Rapoport Caplan Family Business Scholarships. This year’s recipients are: Kiley Harper-Larsen, Hugh Branch, Inc., Pahokee, Fla.; Chelsea McClarty, HMC Farms, Kingsburg, Calif.; Ben Rice, Rice Fruit Company, Gardners, Pa.; and Mark Stevenson, Meijer, Grand Rapids, Mich.

The scholarship program, which provides the opportunity for employees of family-owned businesses to attend the annual United Fresh Washington Public Policy Conference, is now in its tenth year. Each scholarship recipient receives complimentary airfare, hotel and registration to attend the conference. 

Applications for the program were solicited earlier this summer and reviewed by the scholarship advisory committee. Winners were selected based on a number of criteria such as interest in advocacy work, passion and commitment, and overall quality of the application.

"We’d like to extend our congratulations to the four scholarship recipients and thank everyone who applied for this year’s program," said advisory committee member Steve Ottum of Potandon Produce. "Kiley, Chelsea, Ben and Mark will join hundreds of industry leaders at this year’s Washington Public Policy Conference to march on Capitol Hill and address critical issues that directly affect our businesses."

The Frieda Rapoport Caplan Family Business Scholarship Program is made possible through a generous grant from Frieda’s, Inc. to the United Fresh Foundation. The program was founded in 2001 by Karen Caplan and Jackie Caplan Wiggins to expand opportunities for representatives from family businesses to attend the Washington Public Policy Conference and help make a positive difference for the produce industry. The Foundation accepts new applications for the program each summer.

          "Coming from a second generation family business themselves, Karen and Jackie know first-hand importance of family business involvement in the political process," said Victoria Backer, United Fresh senior vice president of member services, foundation. "We greatly appreciate their vision and generosity in providing this wonderful opportunity for family businesses to help shape the future of the produce industry."
          For more information on the scholarship program or on the Washington Public Policy Conference, please visit www.unitedfresh.org, or contact United Fresh at 202-303-3400.