16/10/2025
Food Indaba 2026 - Food Systems and Water Systems: Rivers, Oceans, Aquifers and Rainfall (ROAR)
How will our food system respond to changing water systems?
As the climate crisis intensifies, the world’s water systems - from rainfall and rivers to oceans and underground aquifers - are under growing strain. Droughts, floods, pollution, and overuse are reshaping how water moves through every part of the food system.
From 20 July to 2 August 2026, the Food Indaba will bring together food growers, water experts, policymakers, researchers, chefs, activists, and citizens to explore how water shapes our food systems - and what this means for people and the planet.
The 2026 programme will focus on:
* People Building Water Resilience - farmers and communities adapting to changing rainfall.
* Restoring the Lifelines - reviving riverine and catchment ecosystems.
* People of the Water - shaping a fair and sustainable blue food economy.
* Cities Creating Circular Futures - reimagining urban water and food flows.
* Water Justice and the Right to Food - ensuring equitable access across Africa.
Building on the success of the 2025 Food Indaba, this next edition expands with new partners - ABALOBI and the Two Oceans Aquarium. We also continue partnerships with SOLVE@Waterfront, DSI-NRF Centre of Excellence in Food Security, Makers Landing, Cape Town Science Centre, UNESCO Chair in Science and Education for African Food Systems, Daily Maverick: Food Justice and Cape Town TV.
Read the full media release here: https://foodindaba.org/how-will-our-food-system-respond-to-changing-water-systems/
More information will be shared in the coming months. Stay tuned for announcements and opportunities to get involved.
