Packaging Innovation Program - Foundation for Food and Agriculture Research
Funds research to develop sustainable packaging solutions for U.S. specialty crop exporters to meet new international regulations and reduce reliance on single-use plastics.
Funder: Foundation for Food and Agriculture Research
Due Dates: Applications are under review (last deadline: December 13, 2025)
Funding Amounts: Up to 20 awards of $50,000–$250,000 each; 12-month project period.
Summary: Funds research to develop sustainable packaging for U.S. specialty crop exporters to meet new international packaging regulations.
Description
The Packaging Innovation Program supports research and development of novel, sustainable packaging solutions to help U.S. specialty crop exporters comply with emerging restrictions on single-use and plastic packaging in key global markets such as the European Union, United Kingdom, Canada, and Japan. In partnership with Clemson University and The Foundation for Fresh Produce, the program targets innovations that maintain or expand U.S. exports by offering alternatives to single-use plastics, reusable packaging systems, or strategies to reduce food loss and waste. The program is structured into three tracks: applied R&D, technology acceleration, and scale-up/pilot commercialization, each designed to support different stages of packaging innovation and implementation.
