Programme aims to develop technologies that extend shelf-life, reduce food waste, and meet evolving international regulations
The International Fresh Produce Association (IFPA) and The Foundation for Fresh Produce have announced the second cohort of the Packaging Innovation Program.
The 2026 cohort includes seven companies developing cutting-edge packaging technologies for US specialty crop exports.
Powered by a US$5mn investment from the US Department of Agriculture FAS and implemented in partnership with Clemson University and the Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research (FFAR), the Packaging Innovation Program is accelerating 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,” said Vonnie Estes, IFPA vice-president of ag innovation.
“These companies are tackling the most pressing packaging challenges facing US 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,” Estes noted.
The Packaging Innovation Program’s second class of innovators addresses the “urgent packaging challenges” facing US specialty crop exporters as regulations tighten across key markets including the EU, Canada, the UK, Japan, and Australia.
The EU’s Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) and Canada’s Single-Use Plastics Prohibition Regulations are among the sweeping policy changes demanding new approaches to packaging materials, recyclability, and compostability.
The seven selected companies will receive non-dilutive funding awards ranging from US$50,000 to US$250,000, plus direct access to industry leaders, market readiness support, life cycle assessments, and regulatory guidance.
This work is supported by a grant awarded by the US Department of Agriculture Foreign Agricultural Service through the Assisting Specialty Crop Exports Initiative.
The seven selected companies are Graphic Packaging International, It’s Fresh Limited, Metalchemy Limited, Northern Technologies International/Natur-Tec, Paramount Planet Produce, PurePour Foods and Singularity.
“The specialty crop industry is at an inflection point,” said IFPA chief science officer Max Teplitski.
“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 US producers,” he added.
