Thank You to Our Partners
Packaging Innovation Program – Accelerating Export Solutions
$5M USDA investment connecting packaging innovators with global market opportunities through IFPA's Foundation for Fresh Produce
The International Fresh Produce Association's Foundation for Fresh Produce has launched the Sustainable Packaging Innovation Lab with a groundbreaking $5 million USDA investment. This initiative addresses the urgent need for packaging solutions that comply with rapidly changing export market regulations while maintaining the quality, shelf life, and safety of fresh fruits, vegetables, berries, and nuts.
Building on three years of IFPA's successful Packaging Innovation Program, the Innovation Lab focuses on removing barriers to trade and ensuring continued access to international markets as packaging regulations evolve across Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, and the European Union.
Key Program Elements:
- Non-dilutive funding awards ranging from $50,000 to $250,000
- Direct access and collaboration with C-level executives and industry leaders
- Market readiness support for EU, UK, Canada, and Japan compliance
- Life cycle assessments and regulatory guidance
- Strategic partnerships with exporters and global stakeholders
Applications now open. (DEADLINE: Dec. 17)
Apply now.
An informational webinar will be held on November 10 for those interested in applying.
Register for the webinar.
Program Events:
October 15: Applications open on FFAR portal.
Applications Close Dec. 17.
Oct. 16-18: Global Produce & Floral Show
November 10: Innovative Packaging Program Webinar - Comprehensive overview of funding opportunities and application process.
December 9: 2025 Innovative Packaging Program Event Storm: Technology, Gaps & Solutions
Meet the 2025 Participants
Akorn Technology, Inc
Sezin Yigit
CTO
Berkeley, California
Sezin Yigit is CTO at Akorn Technologies, where she drives R&D and innovation to reduce food waste and extend product life across the supply chain. A co-founder of Mori, she’s led product development, fundraising, and regulatory efforts in sustainable packaging. Sezin also hosts FoodHack Boston, building community around food tech and climate solutions. She holds a PhD from Tufts and completed postdoctoral work at Yale. Based near Boston, she enjoys cooking and adventuring with her husband and two kids.
SAVRpak
Grant Stafford, CEO
San Juan Capistrano, California
Grant Stafford is the CEO and co-founder of SAVRpak, with 17 years of experience bringing innovative products to market across startups and mid-size companies. His career centers on solving complex problems and leading talented teams. At Fisher & Paykel, he developed indoor and outdoor appliances for the DCS brand. He also co-created the original robotic chef with Miso Robotics. Grant has led operational pilots with major clients including Levy, Kitchen United, Yum Brands, and Walmart.
Corumat, Inc
Mike Waggoner, CEO and Co-Founder
Yakima, Washington
Mike Waggoner is an engineer-turned-entrepreneur on a mission to make all packaging 100% plant-based, compostable, and recyclable with food waste. He holds a master’s in mechanical engineering from the University of Washington and has secured over $5M in funding from USDA, EPA, and NSF. With $750K+ in pilot sales, his work is gaining traction in sustainable packaging. A former ski mountaineer and bike racer, he’s also a proud dad to two young daughters.
Kwik Lok
Ryan Towry, VP of Engineering & Innovation
Yakima, Washington
Ryan Towry is Kwik Lok’s VP of Engineering and Innovation with 17 years of experience. He previously served as Director of Engineering at Yakima Chief Hops, leading complex capital projects. Ryan has worked across the food, beverage, and power industries, honing skills in project management, leadership, and continuous improvement. He holds engineering degrees from Washington State University and Spokane Falls Community College.
Nat4Bio
Joaquin Fisch, CEO & Co-Founder
San Miguel de Tucumán, Argentina
Joaquín Fisch is co-founder and CEO of Nat4Bio, an Argentina-based startup developing bio-based coatings to reduce post-harvest produce loss. With a background in industrial engineering and experience in biotech commercialization, he leads efforts to scale science-backed solutions. Under his leadership, Nat4Bio has patented novel formulations, launched pilots with global agribusinesses, and gained recognition from the Inter-American Development Bank. Joaquín is passionate about translating deep science into practical, customer-focused innovations for a more sustainable food system.
NNZ Inc
Steve Greenfield, Director of Sales & Marketing
Lawrenceville, Georgia
Steve Greenfield, Director of Sales & Marketing at NNZ Inc., brings 26 years of experience in produce packaging. He leads the commercialization of sustainable solutions, including recyclable and compostable options, and builds global supply chain partnerships. With a mechanical engineering degree from the University of Alabama, Steve bridges materials and machinery to deliver practical, scalable packaging. He spearheaded the Q-Bic project in the U.S. and, with FFAR Grant support, continues driving industry-wide adoption of innovative, sustainable packaging technologies.
PakItGreen, Inc
Jerold Zwas, CEO
East Lansing, Michigan
Jerold Zwas is an experienced advisor, investor, and entrepreneur with a decade of work supporting early-stage tech companies. He was interim CFO for a startup acquired by BAE Systems after 800% growth, and co-founded Advanced Battery Concepts, raising over $2M in equity and securing grants and loans. His focus is now on cleantech, with past experience in automotive, real estate, medical, and telecom sectors. Jerold holds a B.A. and M.B.A. from the University of Michigan and began his career in investment banking.
PeelON
Taraka Ramji Moturu, CEO and Co-Founder
Austin, Texas
Dr. Taraka Ramji Moturu is the Co-Founder and CEO of PeelON Inc., a sustainable packaging company developing biodegradable, shelf-life-extending film for fresh produce. With a Ph.D. in Plant Biology and over 10 years of experience in plant sciences, he has led global R&D projects in food preservation and biopolymer innovation. Taraka is passionate about climate-smart packaging and actively mentors in international STEM networks, combining science and entrepreneurship to drive sustainable impact.
Sway
Matt Mayes, COO and Co-Founder
Berkeley, California
Matthew Mayes is the Co-founder and COO of Sway, leading operations and strategic partnerships to bring seaweed-based, home-compostable packaging to market. With over a decade of experience in scaling climate-positive technologies, Matthew focuses on sustainable materials and supply chains. Raised in a California farming community, he values land stewardship and agricultural resilience. He holds degrees in Political Economy and Development Practice from UC Berkeley and is committed to advancing climate solutions that balance business and nature.
2025 Packaging Innovation Program Mentors
Julie Zorb, Walmart
Tony Freytag, CrunchPak
Tyler Weinbender, Superfresh Growers
Aaron Brookes, Driscoll's
Jose Morales, Keany Produce
Josh Ruiz, Duda
Jeffrey Brandenburg, Q Fresh Labs
Pete Donlan, Misionero
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 Packaging Innovation Program 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 Packaging Innovation Program 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 Packaging Innovation Program 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 Packaging Innovation Program 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