Breaking through the glass ceiling one kiwi at a time

Known as the “Mushroom Lady” and “the Mick Jagger of the produce world,” Frieda Caplan was a game changer for how Americans eat. She introduced lesser-known fruits and vegetables to our grocery aisle, including kiwis, passion fruit, starfruit, blood oranges, shiitake mushrooms, turmeric, and more.

With Frieda’s passing, Gustavo Arellano reflects on her place in the “Who’s Who” of the culinary canon in his story for the Los Angeles Times.