Airfield Estate calls for national food literacy strategy to reconnect children with food
New research finds 89.5% of parents and teachers believe children are disconnected from how food is grown, produced and prepared
Print13 October 2026
Airfield Estate has called on the Government to develop a National Food Literacy Strategy to help children better understand where food comes from, how it is produced and how food choices affect health, society and the environment.
The call comes as new research commissioned by Airfield Estate found that 89.5% of parents and teachers surveyed believe many children are disconnected from how food is grown, produced and prepared.
The findings were presented on Monday, 12 October, at Airfield Estate’s inaugural Food Literacy Forum in Dundrum, Dublin.
The event brought together educators, policymakers, researchers, NGOs and food sector stakeholders to discuss how Ireland can build a more food-literate society.
Airfield Estate, Dublin’s working farm and food education charity, hopes the forum will become an annual platform for collaboration, research sharing and policy discussion, helping to keep food literacy on the national agenda.
Calls for coordinated national approach
Airfield Estate believes food literacy should be recognised as an essential life skill, alongside numeracy and digital literacy.
It is calling for Government, education, health, agriculture, environmental and community stakeholders to work together to develop a coordinated national approach to food education.
The proposed strategy would aim to give every child the opportunity to understand food production, develop practical food skills and make informed choices.
“Our research shows a clear concern among parents and teachers that children are becoming disconnected from where their food comes from. At Airfield, we see every day how hands-on experiences such as growing, preparing and understanding food can transform children’s knowledge, confidence and relationship with food,” Claire Mac Evilly, CEO of Airfield Estate, said.
She added: “While many organisations are already doing excellent work in this area, a coordinated national approach is needed. A National Food Literacy Strategy would provide a shared framework to connect and strengthen these efforts, ensuring every child has the opportunity to develop the food knowledge and life skills they need for the future.”
Research highlights support for practical food education
The research points to strong support for a broader approach to food education that extends beyond nutrition to include food origins, sustainability, cooking skills, food systems and informed food choices.
Respondents also identified experiential learning as an effective way for children to develop their understanding of food, with activities such as growing produce, cooking, visiting farms and engaging directly with food production highlighted as valuable learning opportunities.
Key findings from the research include:
- 89.5% believe many children are disconnected from how food is grown, produced and prepared
- 94.9% agree children need a better understanding of where food comes from
- 97.5% agree food education is as important as other areas of health education
- 97.7% agree food literacy should include sustainability and environmental topics
- 99.4% agree children learn more effectively about food through hands-on, practical experiences
- 70% of parents believe children are not receiving enough food education in primary school.
The findings highlight the perceived importance of giving children opportunities to learn about food through practical experiences, alongside classroom-based education.
Food literacy forum brings together experts
Speakers at the inaugural Food Literacy Forum included Carolyn Steel, internationally renowned architect and author of ‘Sitopia: How Food Can Save the World and Hungry City’; Eilis Davenport, chef and founder of Learn Local cookery school; Aileen McDonnell Gillic, registered nurse, associate nutritionist and researcher focusing on food literacy in early years at TU Dublin; and Richard Cooper, insight and expert community manager at Our Food Roots.
The forum aimed to encourage discussion on how food literacy can be embedded more consistently in children’s education and how organisations working in the area can collaborate to support a national strategy.
Airfield Estate’s Living Classroom model
As Dublin’s Sustainable Food Hub, Airfield Estate has been delivering practical, hands-on food education for children and communities for many years.
Its initiatives include Farmer Time, Breakfast Clubs, GROW, and educational activities across its farm and gardens. These programmes connect participants with food production, nutrition, sustainability and farming as part of Airfield Estate’s Living Classroom model.
Through its work, the organisation aims to demonstrate how experiential learning can help children develop a stronger understanding of food and its role in everyday life.
Airfield Estate is calling for a coordinated national strategy to build on existing initiatives and ensure that children across Ireland have opportunities to develop the knowledge and practical skills needed to make informed food choices.
Read more: Gala Retail crowns winners of Ireland’s Best Baker 2026
© 2026, ShelfLife by Patryk Goron
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