20265118146305
Project Grant
Overview
Grant Description
Pumpkins are an iconic US crop grown for fall season harvest.
While some are used for their seeds and flesh, most are grown as seasonal ornamentals to be used briefly as décor and then, typically, discarded in landfills--representing missed economic opportunities and contributing to the nation's food waste problem.
Over 1 billion pounds of pumpkins end up in landfills annually, amplifying local and regional waste management challenges.
We propose to improve pumpkin sustainability throughout the supply chain--from cultivar to kitchen table--by reducing pre-harvest losses, expanding the culinary use of edible ornamental and hull-less snack/oilseed pumpkins, and changing consumer behavior.
Pre-harvest losses due to insects and pathogens can be mitigated by genomics-assisted breeding.
Harvest index can be improved for hull-less snack/oilseed pumpkins by improving fruit quality so the vegetable portion of the fruit can also be harvested.
Marketing materials educating consumers on food-safe decoration and display will improve post-harvest sustainability.
This systems approach explores the full lifecycle and is transdisciplinary, bringing together plant breeders, horticulture extension specialists, food safety experts, behavioral scientists, and marketing professionals.
While some are used for their seeds and flesh, most are grown as seasonal ornamentals to be used briefly as décor and then, typically, discarded in landfills--representing missed economic opportunities and contributing to the nation's food waste problem.
Over 1 billion pounds of pumpkins end up in landfills annually, amplifying local and regional waste management challenges.
We propose to improve pumpkin sustainability throughout the supply chain--from cultivar to kitchen table--by reducing pre-harvest losses, expanding the culinary use of edible ornamental and hull-less snack/oilseed pumpkins, and changing consumer behavior.
Pre-harvest losses due to insects and pathogens can be mitigated by genomics-assisted breeding.
Harvest index can be improved for hull-less snack/oilseed pumpkins by improving fruit quality so the vegetable portion of the fruit can also be harvested.
Marketing materials educating consumers on food-safe decoration and display will improve post-harvest sustainability.
This systems approach explores the full lifecycle and is transdisciplinary, bringing together plant breeders, horticulture extension specialists, food safety experts, behavioral scientists, and marketing professionals.
Awardee
Funding Goals
NOT APPLICABLE
Grant Program (CFDA)
Awarding / Funding Agency
Place of Performance
Gainesville,
Florida
32611-1941
United States
Geographic Scope
Single Zip Code
Related Opportunity
USDA-NIFA-SCRI-011194
University Of Florida was awarded
Sustainable Pumpkin Supply Chain Optimization Grant
Project Grant 20265118146305
worth $3,294,359
from the Institute of Food Production and Sustainability in July 2026 with work to be completed primarily in Gainesville Florida United States.
The grant
has a duration of 4 years and
was awarded through assistance program 10.309 Specialty Crop Research Initiative.
Status
(Ongoing)
Last Modified 7/17/26
Period of Performance
7/15/26
Start Date
7/14/30
End Date
Funding Split
$3.3M
Federal Obligation
$0.0
Non-Federal Obligation
$3.3M
Total Obligated
Activity Timeline
Additional Detail
Award ID FAIN
20265118146305
SAI Number
None
Award ID URI
SAI EXEMPT
Awardee Classifications
Public/State Controlled Institution Of Higher Education
Awarding Office
12348T Institute of Food Protection and Sustainability (IFPS)
Funding Office
12348T Institute of Food Protection and Sustainability (IFPS)
Awardee UEI
NNFQH1JAPEP3
Awardee CAGE
5E687
Performance District
FL-03
Senators
Marco Rubio
Rick Scott
Rick Scott
Modified: 7/17/26