Youth, Citizenship and a Deforestation-Free Food Future for Monmouthshire

Monmouthshire County Council has pledged to become the world’s first Deforestation-Free
Champion Council, placing the county at the forefront of ethical sourcing. But real change
happens on dinner plates as much as in council chambers. This event explores how public
procurement can not only ensure that public finances are spent in ways that protect the future of
young people, by avoiding deforestation-driven supply chains, but also create the right
conditions for farmers to diversify into climate-resilient crops like beans and pulses.

By actively involving young people in menu design, schools can help shift food cultures at a key
moment in children’s lives. Their excitement and interest in tropical forest biomes and their
passion for tackling the tropical deforestation crisis can be harnessed to create lasting dietary
change, supporting farmers growing pulses and others leading the charge for local legumes.

This session brings together farmers, school children, policymakers, and food visionaries to
explore how school food can drive a regenerative, deforestation-free food future.