Minister Hackett addresses inaugural National Youth Food Summit
- Published on: 20 September 2024
- Last updated on: 12 April 2025
Today, the first-ever National Youth Food Summit is taking place at Airfield Estate, Dublin, bringing together over 500 young participants including primary and secondary school pupils, third-level students, and young food system activists. In her address to the participants,
Minister Pippa Hackett stressed the crucial role young people have in shaping the future of agriculture and food, emphasising their importance in keeping the sector innovative and resilient:
"You are the future of agriculture and food. Whether you become a farmer, an entrepreneur, an advocate, or an innovator, your voices and actions matter. Let this summit be the catalyst for you to step forward, to take charge, and to lead the way.”
The event, organised by the National Youth Food Forum with support from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and the Irish Forum for International Agricultural Development, aims to promote the development of a sustainable and forward-thinking food system for the next generation.
Minister Hackett also highlighted the important contribution of women in agriculture and the need to empower young women as future leaders:
"Women are driving so much of the positive change we are seeing in agriculture, and we need even more of you to take the lead. I really hope that today’s event will prove to be a significant step in encouraging young women like you to help shape the future of our food systems.”
The National Youth Food Forum, inspired by global movements such as the World Food Forum of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), was created to give young people in Ireland a platform to engage with food system challenges, exchange ideas, and drive change. The summit forms part of the broader Food Vision 2030 strategy, which aims to actively involve youth in shaping the future of agriculture and food systems.
Ends
Notes for Editors
National Youth Food Summit: This event builds on the work of the National Youth Food Forum, bringing together students and young professionals throughout the agri-food sector, with the support of the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, and in partnership with the World Food Forum. It is a day of interactive activities showcasing the Irish agri-food sector, the opportunities in this area and generating discussions on how young people can partake in and
contribute to this sector in a range of ways, including panel discussions, film screenings, networking and more.
Food Vision 2030: Ireland’s approach to delivering sustainable agriculture and food is set out in Food Vision 2030, Ireland’s stakeholder-led strategy. Its vision is for Ireland to be “A World Leader in Sustainable Food Systems”, with environmental, economic and social sustainability at its core.
World Food ForumWorld Food Forum | Good food for all, for today and tomorrow (world-food-forum.org)
Airfield Trust Farm - Dublin's Sustainable Food Hub - Fun Things To Do | Airfield Estate