Technical Abstract: Innovative food processing can be used to improve safety of specialty crops and their co-products, while improving sustainability of agricultural and food processing operations and enhancing overall nutritional quality of foods for both domestic and international consumers. The potential of various innovative food processes, many of which have been developed at the USDA, Agricultural Research Service, Western Regional Research Center in Albany, CA and some of which have been transferred into commercialization through partnerships with industry are reviewed. Innovative technologies such as film casting, ultraviolet, infrared, and solar energy treatments, can enhance final food product quality and nutritional value, while improving food safety. Novel edible films and coatings formulated with natural antibacterial essential oils and food packaging systems to improve food safety are discussed. Applications of nanoscience to edible films are also reviewed.