Second cohort chosen for packaging innovation program
The International Fresh Produce Association (IFPA) and The Foundation for Fresh Produce have chosen the second cohort of the Packaging Innovation Program.
The International Fresh Produce Association (IFPA) and The Foundation for Fresh Produce have chosen the second cohort of the Packaging Innovation Program.
The 2026 cohort includes seven companies developing cutting-edge packaging technologies for U.S. specialty crop exports, according to a news release.
Powered by a $5 million investment from the USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service and implemented in partnership with Clemson University and the Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research (FFAR), the program accelerates the development of packaging that extends shelf life, reduces food loss and waste, and meets rapidly evolving international packaging regulations.
“The breadth and quality of innovation represented in this new cohort is extraordinary,” Vonnie Estes, IFPA vice president of ag innovation, said in the release. “These companies are tackling the most pressing packaging challenges facing U.S. specialty crop producers, from compostability and recyclability to shelf-life extension and regulatory compliance.
“We are proud to support their work and to connect them with the resources, partnerships, and market access they need to succeed.”
Twenty-two grants were awarded in July 2025.
The program’s second class of innovators addresses the urgent packaging challenges facing U.S. specialty crop exporters as regulations tighten across key markets including the European Union, Canada, the United Kingdom, Japan and Australia.
“The specialty crop industry is at an inflection point,” said Max Teplitski, IFPA chief science officer. “Growers and exporters need packaging that not only meets the wave of new international regulations but actively helps them get more product to market in better condition. The companies in this cohort are building exactly that — practical, scalable solutions that can move the needle on food loss, sustainability, and market access for U.S. producers.”
The seven selected companies will receive non-dilutive funding awards ranging from $50,000 to $250,000, plus direct access to industry leaders, market readiness support, life cycle assessments and regulatory guidance.
The 2026 cohort:
- Graphic Packaging International
Project focus: Compostable paperboard clamshell replacement with shelf-life extension for fresh produce - It’s Fresh Limited
Project focus: Development of a recyclable film for cardboard punnets and pre-made salads that prolongs shelf-life and reduces food wastage - Metalchemy Limited
Project focus: Metalchemy Antimicrobial REearthable trays for sustainable specialty crop packaging - Northern Technologies International / Natur-Tec
Project focus: PFAS & PVDC-free compostable barrier laminates for moisture/oxygen-sensitive dried fruits and tree nuts - Paramount Planet Produce LLC
Project focus: Ocean compostable fish-friendly packaging innovation - PurePour Foods LLC
Project focus: Development of compostable dual-format packaging (“PurePack Duo”) for seed-oil-free dressings - Singularity
Project focus: Performance enhancing additive for recycle-ready flexible packaging for food