WASHINGTON, DC - An opportunity to create solutions for our industry by our industry has just opened up, and the International Fresh Produce Association (IFPA) is urging produce members to take it. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Foreign Agricultural Service has made up to $5 million in grant opportunities available via the Assisting Specialty Crops Exports Initiative (ASCE).

“We’ve seen onerous packaging regulations enacted in both Canada and Europe, with little regard to current industry practices,” IFPA Chief Science Officer Dr. Max Teplitski said. “This level of funding mechanism exclusive to the fresh produce and floral industry is rare and is something IFPA doggedly advocated for on our members’ behalf. Industry companies can participate by partnering with universities, so I would invite any IFPA members interested in pursuing this opportunity to contact us to discuss how to access these funds.”

Citing the need for the specialty crop industry specifically to develop innovative solutions to packaging and labeling regulatory requirements on the rise overseas, the funding is for research and commercialization of innovative alternatives to single-use plastic packaging, according to a press release.

“At a time when consumers worldwide aren’t eating enough fresh produce, our industry does not need the additional hurdle of these packaging rules—which will compromise food safety, quality, and increase food waste,” Teplitski noted. “IFPA and our partners in the Alliance for the Sustainable Packaging for Food will continue the fight to see these barriers removed.”

Aimed to keep fresh produce in the running amid packaging bans in Canada and the European Union, the deadline to apply is July 17.

Additional details are available via the Notice of Funding Opportunity here. More details, as well as plans the IFPA has to explore the crossroads of packaging and sustainability at the fast-approaching Washington Conference June 10–12, can be found in the full press release here.

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