Packaging That Keeps Produce Fresh

Packaging produce so that it arrives fresh to consumers requires finesse. Produce packaging plays different roles in business-to-business (B2B) and retailer-to-consumer delivery. In urban areas, produce loss occurs mostly during the retailer-to-consumer exchange, and in rural areas, more produce is lost from farms to retailers. In both situations, reducing food waste by extending produce shelf life is critical.

In the United States, 35%–50% of fresh fruits and vegetables are wasted; most o…