Students to get taste of food sector

The Future is Food, an interactive education programme developed by the Taste Council with Bord Bia, has secured its place on the school curriculum for transition-students.

It is now available to secondary schools through both the National Council of Curriculum Assessment and Taste Council websites.

The Future is Food follows a successful pilot programme that introduces students to the Irish food and drinks industry.

The programme has been designed to broaden young people’s knowledge and understanding of the local, artisanal and speciality foods sector.

Under the programme, chefs and food producers from local communities will go into the schools to work with the students on a voluntary basis. Students will have an opportunity to actively engage with aspects of the food sector, gaining practical insight and real-life experience.

Budding entrepreneurs and innovators will be able to develop their own unique food product or work in partnership with a local producer on an existing product.

Minister for Food Simon Coveney said the programme offered a tremendous opportunity for transition-year students to work with artisan food businesses and food champions in their county.

Mr Coveney said the food sector was “on the lookout for talent”.