It all started as an idea at FoodHQ, then began with a spark at Innovation Day last year. How could the next generation be inspired to see beyond the supermarket shelf, to imagine, create, and shape the future of food in New Zealand? That question grew quietly over the months, until it became something much more tangible: The Food Innovation Youth Summit (FIYS).
Last week, secondary students from across Aotearoa arrived at Massey University’s Manawatū campus, curious and eager. Over three days, the summit transformed curiosity into experience, theory into hands-on experimentation, and ideas into action.
The students didn’t just attend workshops and lectures, they stepped into the roles of innovators, scientists, and policymakers. They brewed flavoured milk from scratch, scaled up recipes, and tested their senses, tried freeze-dried ice cream and creative pikelet concoctions. They toured major food production facilities, seeing firsthand the blend of science, creativity, and precision that turns raw ingredients into products millions of people consume every day.
And then came the leap into the future. Students imagined the foods of 2035, designing culinary inventions that balanced sustainability, health, and innovation. They debated trade, environmental impact, and national food security – all in a few short days, all guided by mentors, experts, and passionate educators from across our food sector.
By the final day, the transformation was palpable. What had begun as a group of students curious about food had become a cohort of young thinkers, problem-solvers, and potential future leaders in the industry. Many left the summit with a newfound awareness of the careers, challenges, and possibilities in New Zealand’s food sector.
This is why work like this matters to FoodHQ. Inspiring the next generation of food professionals is about opening eyes to what’s possible. The young people who walked through FIYS will one day hopefully be the ones creating, producing, and delivering the food we all rely on. It’s easy to forget how quickly the future arrives. Not that long ago, movies like Back to the Future imagined a world that felt wildly unrealistic – foods, technologies, and ways of living that seemed impossible at the time. And yet, here we are, living in a version of that future. The same will be true for food. The ideas that feel distant today will become everyday tomorrow, shaped by the curiosity, creativity, and courage of the next generation. Helping spark that curiosity now is how FoodHQ hopes to play a role in the future of food.
None of this would have been possible without the collaboration of the Massey University team, educators, industry mentors, and community partners, and funders. It was such an awesome reminder that when communities come together with purpose, the results can be transformative.
FIYS wasn’t just an event – it was a journey. A journey that showed young people that the future of food isn’t a distant concept, but something they can touch, shape, and lead.
Special mentions and thank you to:
– Massey University and thier awesome team.
– Future Foods Foundation
– CEDA
– GoodmanFielder
– Moana Fisheries
– Fonterra FRDC
