Steve Fairfield Memorial Award for Flexible Packaging Innovation
Do You Know an Innovation in the Flexible Packing Industry That Deserves Recognition?
www.sbfoods.com
Steve Fairfield was a flexible packaging innovator who left an indelible mark on the baby food and fruit purée industries. His entrepreneurial and visionary contributions helped reshape the flexible pouch landscape. Steve’s passion and innovation were instrumental in the early adoption of spouted, stand-up pouches by leading global brands in the industry. This packaging format is now ubiquitous within the baby food and fruit snack categories. Steve passed away in May 2024, leaving behind a legacy that will inspire industry innovators for generations. SKIP TO FORM ⬇
⮞ Meet the 2025 Inaugural Steve Fairfield Memorial Award Winner: Steve Gosling
ABOUT THE AWARD
The new “Steve Fairfield Memorial Award for Flexible Packaging Innovation” honors a top innovation in flexible packaging. BNP Media will present the award at its 2026 Global Pouch Forum event, taking place May 27-29, 2026 in Clearwater Beach, FL. The recipient of the award will present the highlights of their flexible packaging innovation in an educational session at the 2026 Global Pouch Forum event and will be the focus of a feature article in the June 2026 issue of Packaging Strategies. Read the submission and eligibility details here.
DATES TO REMEMBER
✔ March 1, 2026 - Winner will be notified.
✔ May 29, 2026 – Winner to Present at 2026 Global Pouch Forum event
✔ June 2026 – Winner profile will run in eMagazine and website.
Submission Details and Eligibility
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- Must include new packaging materials and/or features that advance the industry (released for commercial application between 1/1/2025 and 12/31/2025)
- Submissions must include a meaningful level of innovation, including: expanding the use of flexible packaging, improving sustainability, extending shelf life, improving end-user functionality or convenience, or improving operational efficiency
- All flexible packaging formats suited to use for food and/or non-food products are welcome
- Only flexible packaging formats, including pouches, bags, film, pillow packs, sachets, etc., will be considered
- Submissions by flexible packaging converters and/or consumer packaged goods (CPG) brand owner are welcome
- Recipient must be able to attend the 2026 Global Pouch Forum to present on the innovation
- Recipient must be willing to participate in an interview for a feature article on the innovation in August 2026 issue of Packaging Strategies; the feature might also run in an associated sister BNP Media publication, including Beverage Industry, Dairy Foods, The National Provisioner, or Snack Food & Wholesale Bakery, where applicable