Provided are methods and compositions for improving storage and/or transportation of food, flowers, plants, or the like by coating of the same with silk proteins or other substances including silk fibroin, chitin, acetylated monoglycerides, shellac, starch, high fructose corn syrup, mayauba wax, maydelilla wax, beeswax, vegetable oil, paraffin oil, ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, cellulose, pectin, alginate, chitosan, gum Arabic, soy protein, zein, casein, and/or whey.