Aspects of the present disclosure pertain to compositions and methods for preparing silk films for use in food packaging. Exemplary compositions of the present disclosure comprise silk films and packaging coatings as a replacement for traditional food packaging, such as single-use plastic packaging, and/or to extend the shelf-life of foods. The natural bio-based silk coatings of the present disclosure may be odorless, low cost, edible, compostable, come from a renewable source, removable from the packaging for recycling, and are biodegradable. In some embodiments, the silk films and packaging coatings may prolong the shelf-life, enhance or maintain the quality and safety, and/or provide indication of and regulate the freshness of food products.