The London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) has outlined details of the extensive food and drink catering plan for the upcoming Olympic and Paralympic Games, which take place in varying locations across the UK on 27 July-12 August and 29 August-9 September respectively.
According to LOCOG, the events will see some 14m meals served over the two-month period across 40 different locations, described as the 'largest peace-time catering operation in the world'.
The food, which has all been sourced to high environmental, ethical and animal welfare standards, has been divided into two main themes to showcase the best of the UK – multicultural foods such as Italian dishes or curries to represent the diversity of the country, and traditional dishes to highlight the UK's heritage.
'With 195 nations represented in the six host boroughs, London is a global city and there will be international food from every continent,' LOCOG noted.
Meanwhile, around 1.2m meals will be served to athletes, comprising 1,300 different types of dish, with LOCOG recognising the need to ensure that familiar and nutritionally balanced food and drink must be available at the right time of day or night.
In line with the London 2012 sustainability commitment, all fruit, vegetables and cereals are Red Tractor accredited, British and seasonal where available, while all bananas are Fairtrade and ethically sourced.
'We want everyone who attends the Games this summer to have a fantastic experience and central to this is the food and drink that’s available,' said LOCOG chief executive Paul Deighton. 'We have gone to great lengths to find top quality, tasty food that celebrates the best of Britain. We believe that our prices are more than comparable to those found at other major sporting events which because of their temporary nature are often more expensive than the high street.
'We are proud that the catering and industry has been quick to adopt the standards of our Food Vision, leaving a stronger and sustainable industry as a legacy of the Games,' he added.
