OCC joins Food NI to chair dialogues on future of Northern Ireland’s food system

 

OCC has joined forces with Food NI to stage a series of ‘dialogues’ and conferences focused on the future of Northern Ireland’s food system.

The series, beginning in November 2025, will raise awareness amongst those in key professional groups, of a new Food Strategy Framework from the NI Executive’s Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs.

The framework sets out a vision for ‘a transformed innovative food system that protects and enhances natural resources for future generations, is environmentally sustainable, economically ambitious and provides safe, nutritionally balanced, accessible food for all.’

The Food Strategy Framework signals a radical change in approach to food policy for Northern Ireland, which recognises the interconnectedness between food, health, the economy and the environment. It requires policy alignment and effective collaboration across multiple government departments, to address a wide range of complex issues.

Ultimately, the framework’s success will be dependent on the active engagement of food and drink focused professionals, from farmers and producers, to distillers and chefs. OCC’s role, under the direction of Food NI, is to chair dialogues and help curate conferences, which will engage those in key roles with the nature and potential of the New Food Strategy Framework.

The choice of location for the dialogues is significant. Hillsborough Castle has proven itself to be a catalyst for change over hundreds of years and has become more than just another noteworthy historic house. It stands as a testament to the power of dialogue and reconciliation, and continues to be the venue for discussions on important issues facing Northern Ireland.  Hillsborough Castle has, since 2014, been the responsibility of the charity Historic Royal Palaces, which also looks after other iconic properties including the Tower of London and Hampton Court.