Exploring one of the greatest challenges facing our future
Wednesday 2 December 2026.
John Innes Conference Centre, Norwich.
Free to attend (includes lunch).
The Food & Farming Discovery Trust is delighted to invite sixth form and college students and their teachers to attend the Food Security Conference 2026.
Bringing together students, teachers, researchers, scientists, policymakers and industry professionals, this engaging one-day conference will explore one of the most important questions facing society:
How do we produce enough food for a growing population while protecting the environment, responding to climate change and supporting viable farming businesses?
Food security affects every one of us. Every meal we eat relies on a complex system of farmers, growers, scientists, transport networks, retailers, legislators and policymakers. Yet many people rarely stop to consider the challenges involved in producing the food that reaches our plates.
This conference aims to change that.
Why attend?
The summer of 2026 has once again highlighted the challenges facing food production, with extreme temperatures, prolonged dry conditions and changing weather patterns creating significant pressures for farmers across the UK.
At the same time, farmers are being asked to:
- Produce affordable, nutritious food
- Protect and enhance biodiversity
- Reduce environmental impacts
- Adapt to climate change
- Meet changing consumer expectations
- Comply with legislation and regulation
- Operate sustainable and profitable businesses
These challenges are complex, often conflicting, and increasingly important for the next generation to understand.
The Food Security Conference will encourage students to think critically about the food system, explore potential solutions, and consider the role they might play in shaping the future.
Who is the conference for?
The conference is open to students aged 16+ studying at sixth forms, colleges and further education settings.
While there are tangible links to:
- Biology
- Environmental Science
- Geography
- Agriculture
- Food Science
- Chemistry
Food security is equally relevant to students studying:
- Politics
- Law
- Economics
- Business
- Sociology
- History
- Public Policy
Questions surrounding food security are closely linked to:
- Government policy
- International trade
- Environmental legislation
- Climate change
- Global conflict
- Economic resilience
- Consumer behaviour
- Public health
Whatever subjects your students are studying, food security offers a fascinating lens through which to examine real-world challenges and opportunities.
What will students gain?
Students attending the conference will have the opportunity to:
- Hear directly from experts working across food, farming, science and policy
- Explore the challenges facing food production both in the UK and globally
- Develop a greater understanding of where food comes from
- Examine the relationships between food, farming, the environment and society
- Consider how consumer choices influence food systems
- Learn about innovation and emerging solutions
- Discover a wide range of career opportunities
- Enhance their understanding of current affairs and sustainability issues
- Engage with real-world examples that complement classroom learning
The conference is designed to support curriculum enrichment, careers education and the development of critical thinking and informed decision-making skills.
Future careers
The future of food security will require people from a diverse range of backgrounds and disciplines.
Career pathways may include:
- Agricultural sciences
- Environmental management
- Plant and crop research
- Veterinary sciences
- Food production
- Engineering and technology
- Business and entrepreneurship
- Communications and journalism
- Law and regulation
- Government and policymaking
- Sustainability and conservation
Students will be encouraged to reflect on how their own interests, skills and future studies could contribute to building a more resilient food system.
Speaker programme
A full programme and speaker line-up will be announced shortly.
As in previous years, the conference will feature a range of expert speakers from the food, farming, scientific, environmental and policy sectors, providing diverse perspectives on the challenges and opportunities surrounding food security.
Event Details
Date: Wednesday 2 December 2026
Venue: John Innes Conference Centre, Norwich
Who can attend: Sixth form and college students aged 16+ and their teachers
Capacity: Up to 300 students and accompanying staff
Cost: Free
Lunch: Complimentary lunch provided
Booking Information
Places are limited and allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.
Booking deadline: Friday 20 November 2026
Teachers and lecturers are encouraged to reserve places early to avoid disappointment. Register here: https://form.jotform.com/261684002721349
A message from FFDT
At FFDT, we believe that helping young people understand food and farming has never been more important. The decisions society makes over the coming decades will shape how food is produced, how land is managed and how we balance environmental, social and economic priorities.
Whether your students are interested in science, politics, law, business, geography or sustainability, the Food Security Conference will provide valuable insights into one of the defining challenges of the twenty-first century.
Join us as we explore the future of food.
Register here: https://form.jotform.com/261684002721349