Technology
Fresh Field Catalyst
an IFPA Technology Accelerator
Thank You to Our Partners
Join the Fresh Field Catalyst Program
Feed the Future with Reusable Packaging Solutions
The Fresh Field Catalyst Program is your chance to lead the way in creating sustainable packaging solutions for the global fresh produce industry.
This groundbreaking initiative is brought to you by the Foundation for Fresh Produce (FFP), International Fresh Produce Association (IFPA), Clemson University, Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research (FFAR), and the USDA.
Who Should Apply?
We’re calling on any startups, established companies, and inventors to revolutionize packaging for fresh and fresh-cut fruits and vegetables.
We’re seeking innovative thinkers with packaging solutions that replace single-use packaging, including single-use plastics, economically and sustainably.
Why Participate?
1. NEW! Exclusive Funding Opportunities
New this year, gain access to non-dilutive funding, with awards ranging from $50,000 to $250,000, provided through the Sustainable Packaging Innovation Lab under the Assisting Specialty Crop Exports program (ASCE-SPIL). This funding accelerates innovations that comply with evolving regulations and boost U.S. specialty crop exports.
2. Industry Expertise & Collaboration
Engage directly with C-level executives, researchers, and packaging leaders to gain actionable insights and scale your solutions effectively.
3. Market Readiness
Ensure your innovation complies with packaging regulations in key markets, including the EU, UK, Canada, and Japan.
4. Strategic Tools & Insights
Access life cycle assessments, regulatory guidance, and consumer behavior analytics to refine your packaging solutions for maximum impact.
5. Unparalleled Networking
Collaborate with researchers, exporters, and industry leaders to take your innovations to the global stage.
What Solutions Are We Looking for?
- Increasing post-consumer recycled (PCR) content in primary food packaging
- Increasing reusability in transport and group packaging including traceability
- Compostable (home and/or industrially) packaging
- Finding new formats to replace banned materials such as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) coatings
- Alternatives to shrink-wrapped individual containers, and containers for produce under 1.5 kg
- Developing sticky labels for fresh fruit and vegetables that are both home and industrially compostable
- Laser etching
- Edible coatings
- Compostable pads for absorbing moisture in clamshells or lidded trays
- Compostable or reusable inserts or satchels for sequestering ethylene or carbon dioxide
- Food-safe antimicrobial coatings for reusable packaging
Program Highlights
- Immersion Week in California
Experience hands-on industry exposure, corporate visits, and valuable field insights. - Webinars
Join virtual sessions led by industry experts on public and private funding, trade information, success stories, and more. - One-on-One Mentorship
Work closely with industry veterans and IFPA members to refine your ideas. - Demo Day
Present your innovation to key stakeholders in the fresh produce sector. - Global Produce & Floral Show
Exhibit your solutions at this premier event in Anaheim, CA, on October 16–18, 2025, and connect with global leaders.
Join Us Today
Take the lead in shaping the future of sustainable packaging. Apply now to the Fresh Field Catalyst Program and make a lasting impact on the global fresh produce industry.
Let’s innovate together for a greener, more sustainable tomorrow!
For more information, contact Vonnie Estes.
Program Timeline:
December 11, 2024: Applications Open
February 12, 2025: Applications Close
February 13 - April 14, 2025: Selection Process
May 4-9, 2025: Immersion week in California
August 2025: Demo Day
May-October 2025: 1:1 mentorship
May-October 2025: Webinars
Oct. 16-18, 2025 in Anaheim, CA: Global Produce & Floral Show
2024 Cohort Alumni
Susterre - Ontario, Canada
L5 Automation, Inc. - La Canada Flintridge, CA
Farm-ng - Watsonville, CA
Mirai Solar - San Francisco, CA
innov8.ag - Walla Walla, WA
Responsive Drip Irrigation, LLC - Bradenton, FL, USA and Abu Dhabi, UAE
Neolithics LTD - Tel Aviv, Israel
Helios Artificial Intelligence, Inc. - Tysons, VA
ClearLeaf - Wilmington, DE
Agragene Inc. - St. Louis, MO
Root Applied Sciences - Oakland, CA
Sufresca - Ness Ziona, Israel
2024 Fresh Field Catalyst Mentors
Pete Donlon, Vice President, Missionero
Matt Hoffman, Plant Health Technology Lead, Driscoll's
Curtis Garner, Founder, CCO, Verdant Robotics
Eric Morgan, VP Environmetal Science & Resource, Braga Fresh
Garland Perkins, Director of Innovation and Sustainability, OPPY
Bryant Woolsey, Senior Director, Walmart Sourcing, WalMart
Marty Craner, CEO/Founder, B&C Sales
Steve Brazeel, Founder/CEO, SunTerra
Mareese Keane, Co-founder, Opengate Partners
Kristen Smith Eshaya, President, JV Smith Companies
Erika Descoust, Wonderful Sales, Regional Sales Manager, NorCal
Dr. Duncan T. Aust, Chief Technology Officer of AgroFresh
2023 Cohort Alumni
Agrology - Alexandria, VA
Arable – San Francisco, CA
Avo Solutions - Chile
Bloomfield – Pittsburgh, PA
BloomX – Israel
FireFly-One – Texas
Four Growers – Pittsburgh, PA
Fyteko - Belgium
Gardin – United Kingdom
Intelligent Growth Solutions –Scotland
Moleaer – California
Spornado – Toronto, Ontario
2023 Fresh Field Catalyst Mentors
Matt Lingard, VP R&D, Bright Farms
Garland Perkins, Sr Manager Innovation and Sustainability, Oppy
Dorn Wenninger, VP of Produce, UNFI
Jim DiMenna, President, Red Sun Farms
Leonard Batti, VP, Taylor Farms
Raina Nelson, CEO, Westfalia Fruit
Eric Morgan, VP of Environmental Science & Resources, Braga Fresh
Miles Kohl, Chairman of Northwest Hort Association
Dan Kurdys, Director of Horticulture and Seed Growth, Bayer
Dwight Ferguson, CEO, California Agricultural Leadership
Nikki Cossio, CEO, Measure to Improve
Joe Barsi, President, Cal Giant
2022 Cohort Alumni
Provision - Calgary, Canada
Routeique Inc – Calgary, Canada
Nexus Robotics - Saint-Bruno-de-Montarville, Canada
Ten Carbon Chemistry Pty Ltd – Melbourne, Australia
Morphix Technologies – Virginia Beach, United States
Netled – Prikkala, Finland
Clarifruit – Rishon Le’zion, Israel
DiMuto - Singapore
The Yield Technology Solutions Pty Ltd – Sydney, Australia
Vitiport – Bratislava, Slovakia
SoundAg – Emeryville, United States
CarbonSpaceTech – Dublin, Ireland
2022 Fresh Field Catalyst Mentors
Gary Wishnatzki, CEO, Wish Farms
Judy Clark, CEO, Fresh From Texas, LLC
Jennifer Petersen, EVP / Chief Science Officer, Sun World International
Andy Hamilton, CEO, Markon
Jan DeLyser, Vice President Marketing at California Avocado Commission
Scott Komar, Senior Vice President of Global R&D, Driscoll’s
Ted Taylor, Head of New Ventures & Business Development at Taylor Farms
Curtis Garner, COO, Co-Founder Verdant Robotics
Max Teplitski, CSO, IFPA
Dorn Wenninger, Sr VP Produce UNFI
Dave Vosburg, Chief Innovation Officer, Local Bounti
Frequently Asked Questions
The Fresh Field Catalyst Technology Accelerator is a unique opportunity for scale-ups and innovative sustainable packaging companies wanting to learn about the produce industry and how to enter this market. The program includes:
- One week immersion program on the U.S. West Coast (field visits, corporate visits)
- Bi-weekly virtual meet-ups with industry experts (growers, shippers, IFPA staff) on topics relating to industry statistics, tech success and failure stories, challenges and access to funding
- Access to IFPA proprietary data and analytics
- Support to translate technology to agriculture or U.S. market
- 1-1 mentoring from IFPA members
- Shared exhibit space with other members of the technology accerlator cohort and introductions to industry leaders at the Global Produce and Floral Show, Anaheim, California, October 16-18, 2025.
The Fresh Fields Catalyst Accelerator is a unique opportunity to connect and engage with relevant members of the fresh produce industry and learn directly from them how technology solutions can work best.
- You can apply to the program by filling in the application form which closes on 3/20/23. Once received, your application will be reviewed by our team and a selection committee.
- Shortlisted companies will attend a video conference meeting to discuss their goals and objectives of participation in the program.
- 10-12 companies will be selected and notified 4/3/23 - 4/10/23 and will be expected to attend the immersion week program in California 5/7/23 -5/12/23.
- You are committing to a senior team member from your company traveling to the U.S. West Coast for a one-week immersion program, on the week of May 4-9, 2025.
- You are committing to a senior team member participating in video conference meetings twice per month for the duration of the six-month program.
- You are committing to a senior team member participating at the Global Fresh Produce Show in Anaheim, CA on October 16-18, 2025.
- No fees are required for any of these events but travel costs and associated expenses are the responsibility of the participating company via their grant funding.
Funding will be provided for awards of between $50,000 and $250,000 each. The performance period for awards will be 12 months. In addition to funding, awardees will gain access to collaboration and networking opportunities, fresh produce industry and consumer insights, LCA analyses and legal reviews of emergent packaging regulations.
No. If you are selected to participate in the Fresh Fields Catalyst Accelerator, you must be in a position to fund your own travel and accommodation for the key events you will be required to attend.
IFPA will assist by arranging blocks of hotel rooms to be available for participants in the program, but participants are expected to cover their own room and board.
Applications from international entities are invited as long as there is a clearly described collaboration with US-based researchers, packaging companies or exporters of specialty crops.
Please do not submit any business plans, trade secrets, or “secret sauce.” Your application must include only non-confidential information. All information disclosed to us in your application will be considered non-confidential public information. FFP and IFPA will only treat information as confidential if the information is covered by a formal, written confidentiality agreement signed by all entities prior to disclosure.
Questions?
Vonnie Estes
VP, Technology
International Fresh Produce Association
Industry sponsorship opportunities
Peter S. Wilder
Sales and Engagement Manager
International Fresh Produce Association