USDA awards 22 grants for produce packaging research

USDA has awarded 22 grants for produce packaging research to projects ranging from development of new materials to solutions piloted directly with fresh produce companies.

The grants are designed to help U.S. fruit and vegetable exporters maintain market access and meet emerging foreign packaging requirements, according to the department.

The $10 million Sustainable Packaging Innovation Lab, launched through the USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) as part of the Assisting Specialty Crop Exports initiative, aims to help American growers access new solutions and innovations in packaging which are feasible for adoption in fresh produce.

USDA FAS selected Clemson University and the International Foundation for Fresh Produce to lead the program in partnership with the program administrator, The Foundation for Food and Agriculture Research.

The first tranche of funding includes a NatureSweet initiative to transition fresh tomato packaging to recycled PET and the testing of a moisture-absorbing pad with SAVRpak that eliminates the need for cold storage in transportation.

A complete list of grantees is available online.