Stuart Jackson Joins CPMA’s Produce Talks Podcast to Explore the Future of Sustainable Produce Packaging
Crawford Packaging is proud to share that Stuart Jackson, Crawford’s produce packaging expert, was invited to join the latest episode of CPMA’s Produce Talks podcast, “Beyond Waste Reduction — How the Produce Industry Is Redefining Sustainable Packaging.”
As the packaging conversation evolves across North America, this episode highlights why the industry must move beyond simple material reduction and toward a more holistic balance of functionality, food safety, and environmental footprint.
This episode also includes insights from JF Delorme of IFCO and Jeff Brandenburg of QFresh Lab — and was sponsored by Crawford Packaging as part of our ongoing commitment to advancing sustainable packaging innovation.
Elevating the Sustainability Conversation for 2026 and Beyond
The fresh produce industry is experiencing a pivotal shift. As 2026 approaches, the focus is no longer just on reducing packaging—it’s about understanding the entire lifecycle of materials and how packaging directly impacts the quality, freshness, and waste of produce itself.
On the podcast, Stuart Jackson emphasized the importance of designing packaging that protects both the product and the planet, noting that packaging decisions made today must account for:
Food waste vs. packaging waste trade-offs
Performance and product protection requirements
Regulatory, retail, and consumer expectations
Realities of recyclability and compostability across jurisdictions
Greenhouse to Grocery: Designing Packaging That Reduces Total Waste
One of the core themes of the episode is the “Field to Fork” balance—how to reduce packaging waste without unintentionally increasing food waste, which has far greater environmental impact.
Stuart highlighted how produce packaging must be carefully engineered to extend shelf life, maintain product integrity, and survive the rigors of transportation and distribution. This balance is essential to reducing total waste across the supply chain.
Future Trends: Materials, Recovery Systems, and Circular Solutions
Looking ahead, the episode touches on several emerging trends shaping the future of sustainable produce packaging:
Advances in recycling and composting infrastructure
Increasing access to recycled content materials
Development of next-generation packaging films and formats
Better alignment between industry standards and consumer expectations
Data-driven decision-making for true environmental impact reduction
Stuart emphasized that meaningful sustainability progress requires collaboration—and that CPMA’s work, combined with support from industry partners like ourselves, helps accelerate adoption of viable, long-term solutions.
Crawford Packaging’s Commitment to Sustainable Innovation
As the sponsor of this Produce Talks sustainability series, Crawford Packaging is proud to contribute to a more informed, transparent, and solutions-driven conversation about the future of produce packaging.
We’re committed to:
- Supporting growers and packers with innovative packaging that reduces waste
- Improving product protection and shelf life
- Advancing sustainable materials and practices
- Helping the industry transition toward a circular packaging system
We remain committed to leading and supporting initiatives that drive real environmental progress without compromising performance or food safety.