Women Heroes Lead Path to Food Industry Workforce Change
The FAO honors global leaders as the industry aims to ensure women comprise 40% of the manufacturing workforce by 2035.
Updated on Oct. 16, 2026 in Organic Food
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The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations has named Laura Ryan, founder of Meat Business Women, one of its 100 Women Heroes in Agrifood Systems and Rural Development. This global initiative highlights contributions to the food industry, which currently aims to diversify its workforce.
Why it matters
Recognizing leadership in agriculture and food systems is essential for advancing gender representation in a traditionally male-dominated manufacturing sector. The Food Business Charter specifically targets a goal for women to represent 40% of the food manufacturing workforce by 2035.
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations selected 100 women as Heroes from nominations spanning over 130 countries. The initiative benchmarks progress toward the goal of women representing 40% of the food manufacturing workforce by 2035.
The players
Laura Ryan
Founder and Global Chair of Meat Business Women and a recipient of the FAO Women Heroes honor.
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
A specialized agency of the United Nations that leads international efforts to improve nutrition and food security.
Meat Business Women
An industry organization that focuses on professional development and career advancement for women in the meat supply chain.
The details
Meat Business Women facilitates professional development through industry networking and mentoring programs. The organization currently partners with more than 60 industry entities to improve workplace conditions and career pathways. These efforts support the Food Business Charter, which sets a sector-wide ambition to increase female participation in food manufacturing to 40% over the next decade.
Timeline
October 2026: Laura Ryan received the award in Rome.
2035: The target year for reaching 40% female workforce representation.
Health Landscape
This development aligns with the broader push to modernize and diversify global food systems. It follows the momentum set by the Food Business Charter in its attempt to balance the gender representation in food manufacturing by 2035.
As the food industry shifts toward more diverse leadership, consumers may see changes in supply chain transparency and corporate social responsibility standards. Engaging with companies that prioritize diverse talent and sustainable practices is a factor worth considering in your food choices.
The takeaway
The FAO is highlighting the critical role women play in stabilizing and improving global food systems through professional mentorship. Readers can support systemic progress by staying informed about the sourcing policies and labor initiatives of the food companies they support.
Further reading
Learn more about sustainable industry practices in our Organic Food section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Business Eye.
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