Clemson’s Sonoco FRESH initiative awards four research grants

The Sonoco FRESH initiative at Clemson University has awarded four research grants to professors who are addressing issues regarding food waste. In the U.S. alone, food waste is estimated at 40 percent across the food chain. With funding provided by Sonoco (a global provider of a variety of consumer packaging, industrial products, protective packaging, and displays and packaging supply chain services), the project subjects range in scope from packaging innovation to consumer communication.

The faculty members receiving the research grants are:

• Ya-Ping Sun, Ph.D., Endowed Chair Professor, Chemistry Department
• Kristen Elaine Okamoto, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Communications Department
• Srikanth Pilla, Ph.D., Jenkins Endowed Professor, Department of Automotive Engineering
• Kay Cooksey, Ph.D., Professor and Cryovac Endowed Chair, Department of Food, Nutrition and Packaging Sciences

The mission of the Sonoco FRESH initiative, which was established with a generous philanthropic donation from the Sonoco Foundation, is to have a major impact on the reduction of food waste. With Clemson University’s top academic experts involved in every step of the food value chain, FRESH is a multi-disciplinary hub for research and innovation to deliver solutions to reduce food waste and promote sustainability. More information on the Sonoco FRESH initiative can be found at www.sonocofresh.com.