The need for effective food safety education in the classroom has been an ongoing discussion at IAFP for several years.  A pro-active approach to more effective recruitment and succession planning has been an issue raised by the food industry at the GMA Science Forum, Leadership Forum, and other public fora, including IAFP.  Although anecdotal reports have highlighted efforts, often by individuals, to raise awareness of the agri-food sector, focused discussions involving education program providers and industry stakeholders, related to food safety education in schools, have been absent from recent IAFP agendas.  Experience from highly developed classroom educational programs suggests that these are leading to renewed interest in food science at the secondary and post-secondary level and to increased awareness in STEM careers.  The seeds for better informed consumers, modifying food safety behaviours, and catalyzing personal exploration of STEM-based career options are planted at a young age.  School-based education programs and applied community college curricula trigger interest in food science and food industry career opportunities. With engagement of appropriate stakeholders, this leads to a talented work force for the food industry, more effective succession planning, and, ultimately, safer food.  

This session will directly address: (1) Proactive approaches to food science education at the school level by engaging provocative thought leaders from around the world; (2) Challenges and opportunities in food science education; raising awareness of STEM-based food industry career opportunities; (3) Creation of training resources to educate young people as future consumers and the future workforce in safe food handling; (4) Workforce opportunities and challenges for industry; and (5) How results from this interactive session will precipitate a call-to-action! The session will engage provocative discussion with international thought leaders as speakers; utilize digital social media in the room; and solicit audience ideas and recommendations for a realistic action plan to carry this theme forward.

Presentations