HANEN at Arendal Week 2026
HANEN is back at Arendalsuka 10–14 August 2026 with its own tent and five days filled with topical conversations about Norwegian food production, local food, emergency preparedness and new opportunities in agriculture. Here we bring together producers, politicians and professional communities to highlight the resources, people and ideas that create value and vibrant villages across Norway.
Throughout the week, invites HANEN for our own events and collaboration with other actors. Among other things, we ask why Norway needs farmers and Norwegian-produced food, look back on 25 years of local food and drink, and look towards the farms, workplaces, and food system of the future.
Below we have compiled the events. HANEN is behind or collaborating on during Arendalsuka 2026. At the very bottom of the article you will also get an insight into the program other actors contribute to HANEN-tent throughout the week.
Didn't you catch the posts in Arendal?
We sent directly from HANEN-tent throughout the week, and now the recordings are available for everyone to watch on our YouTube channel. Watch the recording here
HANENs program during Arendal Week
Monday, August 10: Norwegian food production and the future of local food
HANEN opens the week with three events about Norwegian food production, the development of local food and the way forward for the industry. We ask why Norway needs farmers and Norwegian-produced food, and look back at how 25 years of local food and drink have changed Norway.
The day ends with a conversation between former Ministers of Agriculture and Food Bjarne Håkon Hanssen and Jon Georg Dale about experiences from politics, current challenges and opportunities ahead.
Tuesday, August 11: Norwegian food and preparedness on the agenda
Tuesday is filled HANEN-tent with events from several players in Norwegian food production and agriculture. Throughout the day, attention will be focused on food preparedness in a troubled world, how we can eat more Norwegian fruit and vegetables, and what place Norwegian produce should have in the market.
There will also be discussions about the Nyt Norge label on seafood and the competition between Norwegian vegetable producers and imported goods.
Wednesday, August 12: Local food in the food system of the future
Wednesday offers conversations about food preparedness, processing, food waste and better utilization of Norwegian raw materials. HANEN is collaborating with Nofima and the Norwegian Agricultural Journalists' Association on the event "Local food producers: close to the raw material, close to the future". Here we highlight how local food producers' knowledge, flexibility and proximity to raw materials and markets can contribute to new solutions and the development of a more sustainable food system.
Thursday, August 13: New opportunities in agriculture
Thursday is HANEN behind the entire program in the tent. Throughout the day, we highlight how the resources of the farm and the outfield can create new products, income and jobs.
The program ranges from value creation based on wild berries and development of the farm of the future to farm sales of beer, wine and spirits. We also look at how farm development can contribute to increased sustainability, better preparedness and a good foundation for future generational changes.
Friday 14 August: The jobs of the future in rural Norway
Friday dishes HANEN and Young Entrepreneurship Agder look to the young and ask who will create the jobs of the future in rural Norway. Students from three schools have developed ideas and prototypes based on agriculture and the resources found in the villages. During Arendal Week they present their solutions and invite politicians, business and the public to a conversation about how good ideas can be developed into real jobs and vibrant local communities.
More events in HANEN-the tent
HANENThe tent has a program throughout Arendal Week. Other organizers invite you to conversations and debates about:
- Norwegian food preparedness in a troubled world
- increased consumption of Norwegian fruit and vegetables
- Enjoy the Norway brand on seafood
- food safety in times of crisis
- the pig's role in Norwegian self-sufficiency
- ultra-processed food
- The importance of potatoes for emergency preparedness and value creation
- food waste and shelf life labeling
Towards HANEN during Arendal Week 2026
HANEN-tent will be a meeting place for good conversations, new perspectives and collaboration across industries and professional environments. Here we highlight the people, resources and ideas that contribute to local value creation and vibrant villages across Norway.
– This year we have many new exciting events, and I am particularly looking forward to the agricultural policy debate and not least the conversation between two former key agricultural ministers, says Bucher-Johannessen.
Welcome to HANEN-the tent at Arendalsuka 2026 – where the village meets the city and the future is shaped, one taste and one conversation at a time.
