FRESH at Clemson University

This Thursday, join FRESH's Research Director, Andrew Hurley, PhD, and Caroline Barry on the discussion of the current state of composting infrastructure and food waste diversion in the United States. Dr. Andrew Hurley is an Associate Professor of Food, Nutrition and Packaging Science at Clemson University. Andrew chairs the curriculum committee, manages an internationally recognized consumer behavior research program, and has delivered over 100 presentations on package design globally. Andrew’s research lab answers complex questions on product marketing and packaging. His experienced group has tested thousands of packages for hundreds of brands. Hurley’s efforts have resulted in multiple awards, patents, and increased sales by 40% for small and large businesses. Andrew is the lead instructor for Clemson University’s Center for Corporate Learning’s Certificate of Mastery in Packaging Management, a state-of-the-art online curriculum that teaches the necessary business acumen and professional vocabulary to work successfully within the packaging industry. Clemson FRESH is a hub for researchers and (inter)national stakeholders who desire to increase food life and waste value. 30-40% of food is wasted, where much it ends in value-diminishing landfills. As Research Director, Dr. Hurley’s focus is to collaborate on projects that (re)use materials which improve air, water, and soil value. He is seeking to unite Clemson researchers with industry to advance new innovations to the marketplace.

Our third Sustainability Leadership Program was a success! The theme for this program was "Talking the Talk: Defining Sustainability in Industry Relevant Terms". Our guest speakers included: Luisa Alva from Genera, Lauren Chupp from EY, and Leslie Skardon from Sustain SC. They sat down with our students and discussed how to successfully navigate the various aspects of Environment, Social, and Governance. Thank you to our guests and students for making this such a successful program.

We are thrilled to announce that Clemson FRESH's research team has been gifted $5 Million from the USDA to support research efforts under the new Assisting Specialty Crop Exports (ASCE) initiative. This is such a great accomplishment for Clemson FRESH and we are excited to get started! If you are interested in receiving funding, submit the interest form on our website, or contact Andrew Hurley, PhD. https://lnkd.in/eunxENVX

Our guest speaker for our upcoming program is Caroline Barry from Closed Loop Partners   Caroline Barry is the Program Manager of the Composting Consortium, an initiative of Closed Loop Partners’ Center for the Circular Economy. The Composting Consortium brings together leading voices across the composting and compostable packaging ecosystem––from the world’s leading brands to best-in-class composters running the operations on the ground. Through in-market tests, deep research and industry-wide collaboration, the Consortium is laying the groundwork for a more robust, resilient composting system that can keep organics and compostable packaging in circulation. Caroline holds a Master’s in Sustainable Food Systems from the University of Colorado, Boulder.   There is still time to register for our October 17th program! Register using the link in our bio.

Last night we hosted our 2nd Sustainability Leadership Program with our Clemson University - College of Agriculture, Forestry & Life Sciences cohort. Our students heard from industry professionals: Benjamin Moore from Bubble Paper, Ashley Rawl from Walter P. Rawl and Sons, Inc., Charlotte Pugh from EY, and Daniel Cluskey from Printpack and their view on sustainability. Thank you to everyone that has supported the beginning of our program. We are excited about our next 3 programs, and what this cohort will learn from our attendees. https://lnkd.in/eUMrGiff

Our last participant for next week's program is moderator and FRESH Research director, Andrew Hurley. Dr. Andrew Hurley is an Associate Professor of Food, Nutrition and Packaging Science at Clemson University. Andrew chairs the curriculum committee, manages an internationally recognized consumer behavior research program, and has delivered over 100 presentations on package design globally. Andrew’s research lab answers complex questions on product marketing and packaging. His experienced group has tested thousands of packages for hundreds of brands. Hurley’s efforts have resulted in multiple awards, patents, and increased sales by 40% for small and large businesses. Andrew is also the lead instructor for Clemson University’s Center for Corporate Learning’s  Certificate of Mastery in Packaging Management, a state-of-the-art online curriculum that teaches the necessary business acumen and professional vocabulary to work successfully within the packaging industry. Clemson FRESH is a hub for researchers and (inter)national stakeholders who desire to increase food life and waste value. 30-40% of food is wasted, where much it ends in value-diminishing landfills. As Research Director, Dr. Hurley’s focus is to collaborate on projects that (re)use materials which improve air, water, and soil value. He is seeking to unite Clemson researchers with industry to advance new innovations to the marketplace.

We are thrilled to open registration for the remaining "Thursday Thoughts" Virtual Programs! These two programs will be on October 17th and November 21st on trending topics in sustainability: "The Composting Consortium: Keeping Organics in a Circular Economy" and "KC Chiefs and the 93K-Pound French Fry Bag Challenge". To register, and get more information, visit our website. https://lnkd.in/dDQ5VeCd

Our guest speaker for our second program is Rob Dongoski. Rob Dongoski is the partner and agribusiness global lead of Kearney’s agrifood sector, brings 25+ years of knowledge and experience across the food system to his clients. With his deep experience in strategy M&A and innovation he has been involved in some of the industry’s most iconic mergers and disruptive business model designs and partnerships. As an expert on how trends, macroeconomics, and geopolitics create both opportunities and challenges across the food system, his clients include crop input, meat and grain processors, manufacturers, grocery, and restaurants companies. He primarily focuses on multinational corporate clients and private equity and has also supported investors, start-ups, and incubators. Registration is still open!

Join the Clemson FRESH team for the Sustainable Packaging Coalition's fall members-only event in Chicago on September 30 - October 2, 2024. SPC Advance will feature action-oriented sessions around the theme of 'Less Carbon, Better Packaging,' based on SPC’s Pillars of Innovation, Recovery, Packaging Design and Policy. If you're an SPC member, reserve your spot today! SPC Advance 2024 https://lnkd.in/e-KwuZN7

Last night, we hosted our first Sustainability Leadership Program with 20 Clemson University - College of Agriculture, Forestry & Life Sciences undergraduate and graduate level students. The evening consisted of networking with industry professionals, presentations on careers in sustainability, dinner, and roundtables. The first program was a big success and wouldn’t have been possible without our guests: Josh Mellinger, Megan Robison, Deb Sofield, Bharat Ganesan and our students!