Wednesday 18th June - Feeding the Future: Towards a Sustainable Food City
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10-11am: Feeding the Future: Unpacking Belfast's Sustainable Food Strategy
This session will dive into the findings of the recent report, explore the outcomes so far, and ask: what’s next? From food security to urban growing, community action to policy change — come hear from the people behind the plan and help shape the future of food in our city.
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11am-12pm: How can food Improve lifelong health and wellbeing
This session explores Mission One of the NI Food Strategy Framework Action Plan — using food to improve physical, mental, and social wellbeing. From early years to later life, we’ll discuss how access to good food, education, and supportive environments can nurture healthier, happier lives for all.
Dr Sinead Furey (Senior Lecturer, Food Business and Food Innovation, Ulster University)
Dr Jennifer Hanratty (Centre for Effective Services / Founder & Chair of Breastival) -
12-1pm: How can we support environmentally sustainable, safe and ethical agri-food supply chains
Mission Two of the NI Food Strategy Framework Action Plan: To Support Environmentally Sustainable, Safe and Ethical Agri-food Supply Chains, focuses on building agri-food supply chains that are sustainable, safe, and fair. This discussion will explore how we can reduce environmental impact, promote ethical practices, and support local producers — all while ensuring healthy, accessible food for our communities.
Helen Keys (Grow IN)
Cormac Dolan (NFFN)
Beth Bell (Carrick Greengrocers) -
2-3PM: How to further develop sustainable economic prosperity within the agri-food sector
Mission Three, To Further Develop Sustainable Economic Prosperity Within the Agri-food Sector, looks at how the agri-food sector can be a driver of sustainable economic prosperity. This panel explores opportunities to grow green jobs, support local enterprise, and harness innovation—ensuring that food production in Belfast is not only resilient and low-impact, but also a catalyst for inclusive economic development.
Michele Shirlow (Food NI)
Andrew Dougan (Yellow Door)
Chris Dobbs (Dobbs Farm) -
3-4pm: Where does your food come from?
Where does your food really come from? In this hands-on, participatory session, we’ll explore the journey from farm to fork, uncovering the stories, systems, and choices behind what ends up on our plates. Join us to map your meals, share knowledge, and imagine more sustainable, local, and just food futures together.- The Lisa Fingleton approach
In partnership with Nourish NI
In partnership with
To celebrate 20 years of SUKI tea in Belfast, we are partnering with them for a day of wonderful tea workshops
10am-11.30am: Tea Blending: Make Your Own Blend
Craft your very own tea blend using unique ingredients and expert advice from SUKI co-founder Oscar Woolley. Discover how flavours balance in blends and unleash your inner tea blender.
11.30am-1pm: Matcha Workshop: How to Blend Traditional vs Modern
Learn the secrets of the global phenomenon super powered green tea matcha. Matcha expert Oscar Woolley will demonstrate and discuss flavour and techniques, from heritage whisking to modern twists.
2-3.30pm: Tea & Health: Why Tea is the 2nd Most Drunk Liquid on the Planet
Tea is the second most drunk liquid on the planet next to water. Dive into the science and stories behind tea’s health benefits. Explore why this ancient brew continues to captivate the world. Poetry from Author Davina Quinlivan.
3.30-5pm: Tipsy Tea: Tea Cocktail Making with Tea
Mix, muddle, and shake up tea-inspired cocktails with a twist. Raise a glass to creative mixology, infused with the world’s favourite leaves.
6-9pm: Just Food
Supper Club - Open Air Dining
Come join us for a delicious evening at Brink! where you can enjoy the best of local produce served as a hearty meal, accompanied by plenty of good craic and an opportunity to hear and share some local food stories.
This is a 'pay as you feel’ event, demonstrating a viable alternative to our current food system in which nutritious, fresh, and local food can be made available to all - not only reserved for those who can afford it. Base tickets are set at £5 - if this is all you feel you can afford, no worries! However, if you feel you can pay more then choose one of the other payment options and you will know that this money will help ensure we cover costs, with any extra helping us to put on repeat events in the future.
Just Food means we are serving good food at ‘pay as you feel’ prices and showcasing some of our amazing local food producers who have supplied the ingredients, which will have been cooked into a delicious, hearty meal by the chefs at Belfast-based cafe, Stereo. Teas and coffees will be provided by the Good Mood Cafe from Extern's Barista Academy.
Hosted by Belfast Food Partnership & Keen 2b Green, with support from Nourish NI, Food Ethics Council and Belfast City Council.
Please note it is a canopy-covered area.
Food & Drink
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Coffee & Tea
Native Coffee are about more than just serving coffee, they host a variety of independent businesses and artists from Belfast and across Northern Ireland. They have built their community on coffee, connection and creativity - check out their Climate Cafes & Sober Socials.
They’re going to be serving hot drinks through the day.
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Pastries
Bakari Bakery are a family-run artisan bakery in Belfast, Northern Ireland.
Inspired by Scandinavian baking traditions, we strive to bring the people of Belfast delicious baked goods using local, organic ingredients where possible and imported organic where necessary.
They’re supplying our beautiful pastries each day.
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Food
Rather than bringing food trucks onto our site, we would love if you would support our food neighbours - the local businesses who serve up amazing food from pizzas to bagels, from lebanese to cheese - we’re spoiled, so please support them.
Deerah, The Boxing Hare, Bodega Bagels, Mikes Fancy Cheese .. don’t forget the Watson food hatch!
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Drinks
Our favourite bar in Belfast just happens to be our neighbour too & have been an important part of our events during our time on the Belfast Stories site. During the festival the Sunflower Pub will be our bar partner during the evening events on the site.
Brink! is a social enterprise using culture to engage with people on issues related to the climate crisis.
We work and play at the point of change exploring new ways to think and act in our city.
This June, Summer Solstice from the Brink! brings 10 days of culture, conversation and climate action to Belfast.
We’re also on the hunt for a new home — so every penny you chip in helps us keep creating space for bold ideas and big change.