INAPPROPRIATE FOOD PACKAGING CAN RESULT IN THE DECREASED SHELF LIFE OF FOOD AND INCREASED FOOD LOSS. THEREFORE, IT IS ESSENTIAL TO DESIGN PACKAGING MATERIALS THAT CAN EFFECTIVELY EXTEND SHELF LIFE, DECREASE FOOD WASTE, AND ALLEVIATE THE PRESSURE ON FOOD SECURITY. IN THIS STUDY, WE PROPOSE TO DEVELOP AN ACTIVE PACKAGING FILM THAT CAN HARVEST ENERGY FROM LOW-INTENSITY VISIBLE LIGHT AND PRODUCE ANTIMICROBIAL CHEMICALS. THE PRODUCED ANTIMICROBIAL CHEMICALS WILL INACTIVATE A WIDE RANGE OF SPOILAGE AND PATHOGENIC BACTERIA ATTACHED TO PACKAGING MATERIALS OR CONTAINED ON FOOD, THEREBY EXTENDING THE SHELF LIFE OF FOOD, IMPROVING FOOD SAFETY, AND REDUCING FOOD LOSS DURING STORAGE. MOREOVER, THE PRODUCED PACKAGING FILM IS COST-EFFECTIVE AND SUSTAINABLE BECAUSE IT IS MADE FROM CHEAP AND WIDELY AVAILABLE TITANIUM DIOXIDE, NATURAL DYES FROM AGRICULTURAL WASTES, AND ABUNDANT LOW-VALUE LIGNIN. FINALLY, THE PRODUCED PACKAGING FILM IS EXPECTED TO HAVE MINIMAL SAFETY OR TOXICITY CONCERNS BECAUSE IT DOESNOT INCORPORATE HARMFUL CHEMICALS. THIS PROJECT WILL ALSO TRAIN AND EDUCATE GRADUATE AND UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS AND HELP DEVELOP THE FUTURE WORKFORCE IN FOOD SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING. OVERALL, THE PROJECT WILL SUPPORT LONG-RANGE IMPROVEMENTS IN THE SUSTAINABILITY OF THE U.S. AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD SYSTEM WITH SIGNIFICANT ADVANCES IN FOOD QUALITY AND SAFETY.