United States | Utilization of imperfect fruits/vegetables

2026 Top Agri-food Pioneers: Tara McHugh

Tara McHugh is an internationally recognized food scientist whose innovations have transformed how fruits and vegetables are preserved, utilized and delivered to consumers. By converting underutilized agricultural products into appealing, shelf-stable foods, her research improves nutrition and reduces food loss. She developed the first shelf-stable 100% fruit, creating a valuable use for cosmetically imperfect surplus fruit, and pioneered technology to produce puree-based edible films that serve as sustainable alternatives to conventional packaging. She also developed a UV-B treatment process that dramatically enhances vitamin D levels in mushrooms, a technology now adopted at scale around the world. As Pacific West Area Director for the USDA Agricultural Research Service, she oversees research programs in sustainable food systems, agricultural resilience and productivity. McHugh champions collaboration by leading partnerships with industry, universities and entrepreneurs to move innovations from the laboratory to the marketplace while mentoring and supporting the next generation of scientists and innovators.