The College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise (CAFRE) held a Food Courses Open Evening at its Loughry Campus near Cookstown. The event provided information on courses that prepare students for careers in the food industry.

Staff and current students shared their experiences of studying and working at CAFRE. Displays highlighted key subjects including food chemistry, microbiology and automation. Higher Level Apprentices Eimear Hunter from ABP and Jayne Kirkpatrick from McAtamney's discussed their roles in the food sector.

Senior Lecturers Dr Gillian Stevenson, Nicola Kerr and Clare Millar explained course options, entry requirements and career pathways. Visitors joined guided tours with hands-on workshops demonstrating how science, creativity and sustainability are integrated into teaching.

The Food Technology Centre includes four food production environments that replicate industry practices. Students Eloise Ruddell, Katelynn Henderson and Nicole McCann delivered an ice-cream demonstration. In the Sensory Suite, guests took part in a taste test comparing branded and unbranded crisps.

A packaging display showed the importance of food safety and sustainability. Final year BSc (Hons) students Maeve Owens, Hannah McClelland, Aimee McConville and Sarah Heatherington answered questions about their experience at Loughry. They highlighted the CAFRE Industry Support Programme, which offered £35,500 in bursaries and scholarships to food students last year, as well as work placements and the Michigan State University exchange programme.

Aimee McConville said that what students learn at CAFRE directly applies to the food industry. During her placement at Dunbia, she used concepts from modules such as Food Microbiology and New Product Development. Fintan McCann, Head of Food Education at Loughry Campus, said graduates leave with real-world experience and an understanding of the food supply chain.

Nicole McCann, a Level 3 Extended Diploma student, said Loughry offered an alternative to A-levels. She noted that practical experience in the Food Technology Centre brings learning to life and that industry visits help students understand sector changes.

Applications for full-time and part-time food courses from Level 2 Apprenticeships to BSc (Honours) Degrees are open. Loughry Campus will host a Food Taster Day on Tuesday 10 November.