Food retailers and wholesalers want packing that prolongs the shelf life of the foods they market; consumers are demanding fresh, convenient and safe products. This does not have to be an either/or standoff. We have developed a novel patch that can be loaded and thereafter release volatile antimicrobial oils inside a food package and extend the shelf life of fresh foods. The versatility of the patch and the simple handling required for its integration into the package will allow this system to be fitted to all types of currently used packages. The merits of this approach are exemplified by the simplicity of the production, amenable to large-scale production, which may reduce the high costs associated with many active package systems.