The Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research (FFAR), in partnership with Clemson University (Clemson) and the International Fresh Produce Association’s Foundation for Fresh Produce (FFP), today announced a request for research, scale and commercialization applications that can expand U.S export markets through innovative packaging solutions.
Emerging global restrictions on single-use and plastic packaging limit specialty crops’ access to international markets. To accelerate packaging innovation that facilitates market access, the U.S. Department of Agriculture Foreign Agricultural Service (USDA FAS) has awarded $5 million to Clemson and FFP to establish the Sustainable Packaging Innovation Lab, with FFAR partnering in its implementation.
The Sustainable Packaging Innovation Lab will provide up to twenty awards between $50,000 and $250,000 for research that leads to the development and commercialization of scalable, sustainable packaging solutions, including replacements for single-use packaging.
Packaging plays an important role in the export of fresh fruits, vegetables and other specialty crops, ensuring that food safely travels from the farm to the consumer’s table and supporting production traceability. Exporters now face increasing demands from foreign regulators and consumers to either avoid packaging or use sustainable alternatives.