NatuWrap®: Military-Ready Technology for Reducing Spoilage of Fresh Produce in Storage and Transport

Nabaco, Inc. proposes to demonstrate the feasibility of NatuWrap®, a scalable, FDA GRAS-certified edible coating that significantly extends the shelf life of fresh fruits and vegetables (FFVs) in military logistics and commercial supply chains. Composed of food-grade polymers and natural clay materials, NatuWrap® forms a thin, transparent, and tasteless barrier that reduces oxygen and moisture transmission, delays ripening, and inhibits microbial spoilage—without altering the sensory quality of the produce. Easily applied by spray or dip, the coating integrates seamlessly with existing workflows at packhouses, warehouses, or field-packing operations.In Phase I, Nabaco will optimize coating formulations using polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and gum arabic, investigate permeability and shelf-life extension across a broad range of FFVs, and define 2–3 universal coating protocols applicable to both climacteric and non-climacteric produce. The project will also model costs and evaluate compatibility with the Defense Logistics Agency’s (DLA) supply chain infrastructure. With over 1.6 million pounds of produce already treated commercially and $600,000 in recent revenue, NatuWrap® is a proven, dual-use technology ready for transition. Successful deployment will reduce spoilage, resupply burden, and operational risk for military personnel, while simultaneously addressing a $10B annual loss in the U.S. produce sector.