StePac Xgo cherry packaging resealable lid

The future of packaging, food waste and recycling for the fresh produce industry will be under the microscope at a workshop in Melbourne later this month.

Hosted by the Australian Fresh Produce Alliance (AFPA) and PMA Australia-New Zealand (PMA A-NZ) at the Parkroyal Melbourne Airport on 28 October, the workshop includes a keynote presentation from Keith Chessell, who will discuss industry best practice for packaging fresh produce.

Chessell has spent the majority of his 50 year career in the packaging sector working with leading brands in the food and beverage space, including Schweppes, Cadbury and Kraft/Mondelez. He has also been actively involved with the Australian Institute of Packaging (AIP), providing technical expertise for the industry-based Save Food Packaging and Fighting Food Waste programmes across both Australia and New Zealand.

The workshop will also allow fresh produce supply chain members to access and learn how to best use the AFPA’s new Packaging Materials Selector tool. Its development comes on the back of research conducted by RMIT University, which highlighted that packaging plays an important role in addressing food waste in the supply chain and increasing product shelf life.

The workshop begins at 10am on 28 October. Entry is free for AFPA and PMA A-NZ members, with an entry fee of A$35 for non-members.