Food sits at the heart of nearly everything we do. Supporting our health, our economy, our environment and our communities. And yet, our food system is increasingly failing to deliver for people. Too many households cannot afford a healthy diet. Farmers face rising costs and growing uncertainty. Our environment is under increasing strain. And global shocks – from conflict to climate disruption – are exposing the fragility of how we produce, distribute and access food. 

These challenges threaten the long-term viability of our food system and our ability to feed people well.The current approach to maintaining our food system is fragmented, reactive and focused on a narrow view of success. While the Executive’s Food Strategy Framework sets out a direction of travel, it falls short in 
providing the structure, coordination and delivery focus needed to respond to the interconnected challenges facing our food system. Similarly, it fails to provide the joined-up and ambitious response required to build a food system that is more resilient, more equitable and more sustainable.

There is a clear need to do things differently – to put Northern Ireland’s food system on a stronger, more secure footing for the future, moving towards a new model that recognises the interconnected nature of production, access, health, environment and community. It requires a shift in focus – from managing short-term pressures to shaping long-term success. The following paper sets out how that can be achieved.

It makes the case for a food system that:

• Ensures everyone can access affordable, nutritious food.
• Reduces exposure to global shocks.
• Supports environmental recovery and improved farm viability.
• Strengthens communities and regional economies.

Delivering a fairer, more resilient and sustainable food system requires a coordinated set of actions across government and society. The proposals below outline how this can be achieved.

• The introduction of a Food Systems Bill, enshrining the Right to Food, placing a duty on government to ensure access to healthy, sustainable food.
• Stronger support for farmers to deliver a fairer, resilient food system.
• Increased investment in local food systems, urban agriculture and community growing.
• Targeted action on food poverty, recognising that access is often driven by income.
• Reform of supply chains and procurement to improve fairness and sustainability.