Unnecessary restrictions are likely to be imposed on UK suppliers in the name of sustainability at the London 2012 Olympics, according to the Fresh Produce Consortium (FPC).
The FPC believes that London 2012’s Food Vision for the wholesale and foodservice sector should have a better balance between the need to encourage healthy eating, promote British, seasonal, locally supplied fresh produce and also allow suppliers to source produce from overseas.
It stresses that some imported products will have been grown in less greenhouse gas-intensive ways than the same products in the UK, with savings from greater efficiency far outweighing the negative impacts of additional transport.
The FPC is concerned that the requirements of the Food Vision and its sustainable sourcing code will undermine London 2012’s intention to encourage local and small suppliers to participate and win contracts.
Suppliers will be expected to source locally, be registered with Sedex and have accreditation under the Assured Produce Scheme and GlobalGAP.
Nigel Jenney, chief executive of the FPC, said: “We support the move to source indigenous UK fresh produce when it is available. British seasonal fresh produce at its best should be available at the London 2012 Olympics and UK suppliers are well positioned to be able to source and provide a wide variety of fresh produce, some of which cannot be grown in the UK due to our climate.
"The fresh produce industry is keen to be able to demonstrate that it can cater for extremely diverse tastes, preferences and dietary requirements of the Olympics.”
The FPC also contests the inclusion of organic fresh produce among the vision’s aspirational standards. The organisers’ preference for organic comes after the Food Standards Agency stated in a report earlier this year that there is no additional health benefit to eating organic compared to conventionally grown produce.
Jenney added: “We would like to see London 2012 doing more to support local suppliers to meet these additional specifications which go beyond the usual legal requirements. The vision aims to deliver food at affordable prices yet a number of the criteria such as sourcing locally, providing organic products and additional accreditation will impact on viability for small businesses, as well as the cost for supplying fresh produce, and ultimately consumers’ enjoyment of a wide variety of affordable fresh produce at the Games.
“It’s disappointing to see proposals to limit consumers’ choice and access to a wide variety of produce by imposing limitations on seasonality and provenance, whilst the Games’ major sponsors will be offering predominantly highly processed food. On this basis, we are challenging London 2012’s criteria for fresh produce.”
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