The global food system faces a monumental challenge: reducing the staggering amount of food wasted each year. With nearly one-third of all food produced globally lost, the need for innovative solutions is more urgent than ever.
Enter Fresh Inset, a Polish FoodTech company that has innovated its patented Vidre+™ technology with a mission to battle food waste by preserving the freshness and quality of fruits and vegetables, and flowers. Developed by an international team of experienced scientists, agronomists, engineers, and packaging experts across the US, Argentina, Brazil, Peru, and Poland, Fresh Inset is a proud member of the International Fresh Produce Association (IFPA) and Greentown Labs, rapidly expanding its global footprint.
We asked their Co-founder and CSO, Krzysztof Czaplicki, to discuss how Fresh Inset is transforming ordinary packaging into active preservation solutions, the lessons his team has learned from failed post-harvest ventures, and their vision for cutting global food waste by 25%.
Fresh Inset Co-founder and CSO, Krzysztof Czaplicki
This interview has been edited for clarity and concision.
Forward Fooding: Why did you start the company, and what is the impact you want to generate at the food system level with your solution?
Krzysztof Czaplicki: We started Fresh Inset with a simple but powerful mission—to make freshness sustainable. Every year, nearly one-third of all food produced globally is wasted, much of it due to post-harvest losses. We believed there had to be a smarter, simpler, and more accessible way to protect fruits and vegetables from spoilage without costly infrastructure or complex logistics.
That’s why we developed Vidre+™, a patented technology that extends the freshness and quality of produce through an innovative, residue-free application of 1-MCP, integrated directly into packaging or delivered via a simple sticker. This plug-and-play solution works within existing packing lines and supply chains, making it easy to implement at any scale and in any climate.
Our impact goes beyond shelf-life extension. By helping producers, packers, and retailers reduce waste, increase profits, and lower their carbon footprint, we’re reshaping the food system into one that is more efficient, resilient, and sustainable—from farm to fork.
Czaplicki goes on to share the environmental results from their innovative solution: “Approximately 185.4 million tons of 11 targeted fruits and vegetables in 26 target countries are produced each year. Thanks to Vidre+™, 5.1% of this volume will not be wasted and, as a result, carbon footprint will be lower by approximately 4.6 million tonnes of CO2 each year, which is equivalent to more than 860,000 standard passenger vehicles’ annual CO2 emissions.” This demonstrates the profound, systemic change that can be catalyzed by focusing on a fundamental component of post-harvest preservation.
But Fresh Inset’s sustainability vision extends beyond CO2 reduction alone, as they view sustainability through a much broader lens; “Every piece of fruit or vegetable that stays fresh longer means resources that don’t go to waste—the water that nurtured it, the land that grew it, and the energy that brought it to market,” says Czaplicki.
The company’s long-term metrics focus on reducing post-harvest food loss and improving resource efficiency across the entire supply chain. They track these criteria through real-world pilots with growers and retailers, measuring shrink reduction, longer shelf life, fewer rejected loads, and smarter logistics that require less packaging and fewer emergency deliveries. And each data point tells a similar story: that a small intervention at the produce level can unlock meaningful environmental and economic value.
Ultimately, Fresh Inset measures success by how much more of what nature gives us can actually reach people’s plates.
From Commodity to Active Solution: The Science of Vidre+™
Behind every successful food preservation technology lies a critical innovation moment: the breakthrough that transforms theoretical promise into practical reality. For Fresh Inset, that moment came in reimagining how 1-MCP could be deployed without the constraints that had limited its adoption for decades.
Forward Fooding: How are you transforming regular packaging into active packaging solutions?
Krzysztof Czaplicki: We’re transforming regular packaging into active packaging by embedding the Vidre+™ Complex directly into the materials growers and packers already use. Instead of packaging that simply contains produce, we create packaging that actively preserves it. Vidre+™ integrates slow-release 1-MCP into formats like cardboard boxes, clamshells, and labels, giving them the ability to neutralize ethylene—the natural hormone that accelerates ripening and spoilage.
This shift is already proving its impact. Trials show that Vidre+™ active packaging can extend spinach freshness by up to 10 days and reduce shrinkage in delicate fruits like raspberries. The beauty of this solution is that it requires no new infrastructure; it fits seamlessly into existing storage, logistics, and packing processes. By turning commodity packaging into high-value, freshness-enhancing solutions, Fresh Inset helps growers and retailers reduce waste, improve transport flexibility, and boost profitability—all while delivering fresher produce to consumers.
The Vidre+™ Complex upgrades packaging, turning it from a mere commodity into a specialty item with unique market value. This active packaging acts as a silent guardian, preserving the freshness of produce and flowers at every stage of the supply chain. At its core, Vidre+™ Complex safeguards fresh produce against the loss of postharvest quality caused by ethylene. The technology ingeniously integrates a slow-release form of 1-MCP directly into packaging solutions. This compound effectively neutralizes ethylene’s impact, preserving the product’s inherent freshness.
What truly differentiates Vidre+™ is its timed and gradual release mechanism. This allows produce to be treated by 1-MCP directly within its packaging, eliminating the previous industry standard of a 24-hour application in a sealed storage room or air-tight containers. This breakthrough makes the process more efficient, cost-effective, and broadly applicable. As Krzysztof emphasizes, “Incorporating Vidre+™ can be easily implemented into storage and logistics. The technology incorporates freshness-enhancing properties directly into packaging materials and works with the majority of traditional formats, e.g., cardboard box or clamshell.”
The power of Vidre+™ technology is evidenced in trials across diverse products and geographies. Research conducted across five continents proves the technology’s efficacy on a wide array of crops, from avocados and grapes to limes, pears, tomatoes, and peppers. Currently, Vidre+™ Complex is already registered in Peru and has been successfully introduced to the U.S. market. A strategic partnership with Janssen PMP has also ensured that Vidre+™ technology is now commercialized and available across Europe, extending its reach and impact globally.
Forward Fooding: How can members of the food supply chain benefit from Vidre+ technology, as well as help them become more sustainable?
Krzysztof Czaplicki: Vidre+™ delivers value at every link of the fresh produce supply chain—from growers to retailers and, ultimately, consumers. As food markets face inflation, disrupted logistics, and rising sustainability pressures, technologies that protect freshness become essential. Vidre+™ is designed exactly for that: it preserves quality, reduces waste, and makes the entire value chain more resilient.
For growers and packers, Vidre+™ simplifies postharvest handling. Our second-generation, slow-release 1-MCP can be applied as a simple sticker, without airtight rooms or a 12–24 hour waiting time. That means faster workflows, no need for dedicated infrastructure, and the ability to treat many more crops than with traditional 1-MCP. It also provides storage flexibility—longer storage windows, better timing for market prices, and even energy savings, thanks to reduced cooling requirements.
For distributors and exporters, Vidre+™ extends freshness throughout transport, enabling earlier shipments and reducing transit losses. Longer shelf life opens access to distant markets; for example, South American growers can now reach Asia with higher-quality produce and lower risk.
For retailers, Vidre+™ directly translates into less shrinkage, better-quality displays, and a more consistent supply. Fresher produce means fewer markdowns, higher margins, and stronger consumer trust.
And for consumers, the benefit is simple: produce that stays fresh, nutritious, and visually appealing for longer.
Across the value chain, Vidre+™ isn’t just a preservation tool—it’s a way to reduce waste, unlock new economic opportunities, and future-proof the food system.
The Engine of Transformation: Strategic Partnerships
Technology alone rarely changes industries. It takes ecosystem alignment, shared commitment, and the combined resources of established players willing to challenge convention. Fresh Inset’s journey illustrates how strategic alliances can amplify innovation beyond what any single entity could achieve independently.
Forward Fooding: In your view, what role do partnerships and collaborations with large corporations play in reshaping the food system?
Krzysztof Czaplicki: Collaboration is essential to transforming the global food system. No company can tackle food waste or sustainability challenges alone—progress requires a collective effort across the value chain.
At Fresh Inset, we see partnerships with large corporations, retailers, packaging producers, and logistics providers as key to scaling impact. By integrating our Vidre+™ technology into existing operations and packaging systems, we enable industry leaders to reduce waste, extend shelf life, and improve supply chain efficiency without disruption.
These collaborations accelerate the adoption of sustainable innovations and create measurable change—less waste, lower emissions, and better food availability for consumers worldwide. Together, we can turn innovation into a new standard for how fresh produce moves through the world.
This partnership approach has already yielded significant results. The strategic collaboration with Janssen PMP has ensured that Vidre+™ technology is commercialized and available across Europe, while partnerships with Interoc have brought the technology to Peru. These relationships provide more than just distribution channels—they offer market validation, regulatory navigation support, and the scale necessary to make a meaningful dent in global food waste.
Fresh Inset’s intellectual property strategy reinforces its partnership approach. The company’s protection strategy is built on a robust intellectual property portfolio, holding patents in more than 50 countries, supported by multiple trademarks that safeguard the brand and technology worldwide. This foundation is reinforced by regulatory approvals in key markets, including Latin America, the EU, and the U.S. (FDA), with several additional registrations expected in 2026.
The company’s expanding product portfolio, designed for diverse crops and use cases, is covered by broad patent claims that make it difficult for competitors to emulate the 1-MCP delivery method or application approach. Fresh Inset continuously monitors global markets and strengthens its filings as new innovations come online, ensuring that its leadership in active preservation technologies remains well protected.
Learning from Failure: Why Simplicity Wins
The post-harvest preservation sector is littered with promising technologies that never achieved commercial traction. Understanding why these ventures faltered and how to avoid their mistakes has been central to Fresh Inset’s approach from inception.
Forward Fooding: Looking at the landscape of failed startups in your specific market segment, what is/are the key lesson(s) you’ve learned, and how is your strategy different?
Krzysztof Czaplicki: Many startups in the post-harvest technology space have struggled because their solutions required costly infrastructure changes, complex logistics, or were limited to specific crops or climates. The key lesson we’ve learned is that simplicity, scalability, and seamless integration are essential for real-world adoption.
Our strategy with Vidre+™ is fundamentally different. We designed a plug-and-play technology that fits directly into existing packaging and supply chain processes—no new equipment, no added complexity. The innovation lies not only in the formulation of 1-MCP but in its unique method of application through a simple label or packaging component, making implementation fast, cost-effective, and globally scalable.
We also prioritize rigorous testing, strong IP protection, and close collaboration with partners across continents to ensure that our technology delivers measurable results under real commercial conditions. This practical, science-driven, and collaborative approach is what sets Fresh Inset apart—and what allows us to turn innovation into lasting impact.
This lesson shapes every aspect of Fresh Inset’s development and go-to-market strategy. Where other ventures stumbled by chasing technological sophistication at the expense of practicality, Fresh Inset has remained laser-focused on the user experience. The “plug & play” nature of Vidre+™ is not just a marketing phrase but a design principle that informs everything from formulation chemistry to packaging integration to regulatory strategy.
The Road Ahead: Scaling for Global Impact
With proof of concept validated and early market traction secured, Fresh Inset now faces the defining challenge of any breakthrough technology: translating success in controlled pilots into widespread commercial adoption across diverse markets and conditions.
Forward Fooding: What is next for your company? What are the next milestones you are trying to reach?
Krzysztof Czaplicki: In the next 6-12 months, Fresh Inset is focused on scaling the commercialization of our Vidre+™ technology across key markets and expanding partnerships with leading packaging producers, growers, and retailers in Europe and beyond.
We aim to demonstrate that smart, functional packaging can play a major role in achieving the EU Farm to Fork Strategy by directly reducing food waste and improving the sustainability of the fresh produce supply chain.
Our milestones include:
- Launching new commercial pilots with major retail and packaging partners
- Expanding regulatory approvals and certifications to support wider market entry
- Strengthening production and distribution capabilities to meet growing global demand
- Continuing R&D on new formulations and delivery formats for different crops and environmental conditions
These milestones share a common thread: they’re all designed to prove that accessibility drives adoption. As Krzysztof puts it, “We believe that small innovations—like a smart sticker—can drive big systemic change.”
Forward Fooding: Let’s finish off with a bang: imagine it’s 10 years from now and your company has fully achieved its original vision. Describe the one headline you would be most proud to read about the impact your company has generated.
Krzysztof Czaplicki: Fresh Inset’s Vidre+™ Technology Helps Cut Global Food Waste by 25%—Making Freshness Sustainable for Everyone
This headline encapsulates the scale of transformation Fresh Inset is pursuing. It’s not about incremental improvement or niche applications but about fundamentally reshaping post-harvest preservation across the global food system. A 25% reduction in global food waste represents a massive achievement with cascading benefits for food security, environmental sustainability, and economic prosperity across the entire value chain.
By making freshness protection simple, scalable, and sustainable, Fresh Inset is helping build a more efficient and resilient global food system. The vision is clear: a future where freshness isn’t a fleeting luxury but a sustainable standard for the entire global food system. By empowering producers, retailers, and consumers to significantly reduce food waste, Fresh Inset is fostering a more efficient, resilient, and environmentally conscious supply chain.
Fresh Inset’s Vidre+™ technology stands as proof that solutions to global challenges don’t always require complex infrastructure or massive capital investment. Sometimes, the most powerful innovations are those that work within existing systems, making them better rather than replacing them entirely. By transforming commodity packaging into active preservation solutions through a simple, scientifically validated approach—deliverable through something as straightforward as an adhesive label that growers can apply in seconds—Fresh Inset is writing a new chapter in the fight against food waste, one sticker at a time.
Visit Fresh Inset’s website to learn more: https://freshinset.com/
Forward Fooding is the world’s first collaborative platform for the Food & Beverage industry via FoodTech Data Intelligence and Corporate-Startup Collaboration – Learn more about our Consultancy and Scouting Services and our Startup Network.
