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Putting together the Olympic menu

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Gordon Farquhar | 13:34 UK time, Monday, 7 December 2009

For everyone not fortunate enough to get a ticket for (and I fear there will be many of us) I've got a new marketing strapline for organisers LOCOG to promote: "Stuff the sport. Stuff yourself."

It's inspired by - "The largest peace-time catering operation in the world."

But we're not talking and beans here. Oh no. If they manage to deliver on the aspiration laid out in the , it'll be food critics, not just sports journalists blogging from Olympic Park.

Proprietors of the classic sports-stadium skanky sausage will be politely told to make way for a little fine dining alfresco.

"London 2012 to set new standards in sustainable sourcing of food," it is claimed, with a promise to "ensure that the best of British food is on offer."

Next year, LOCOG plans to launch a Food Charter - "a campaign to encourage organisations throughout the events, catering and hospitality sectors to commit to supporting and implementing local, seasonal, healthier and sustainable standards across the industry."

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Will Usain Bolt will be able to find the chicken nuggets that fuelled his Beijing heroics?

I think they really mean it. I don't know whether to laugh or cry.

The risible efforts at the marked the nadir of major sports event catering (the kebabs were actually the healthiest fare on offer, oozing as they were with hydrogenated fat, and sold out in seconds).

But there is something about a sausage and a six-pack watching baseball that taps into the tradition, an indulgence fitting the entertainment on offer ie: better as the game wears on, directly in proportion to the level of "refreshment."

I like that. I've done it. It's part of fandom. There'll have to be on offer during the football tournament for the same ironic nostalgic reasons.

Baseball has gone now, removed from the Games along with its and Dr Peppers.

It'll be real sausages made from organically-reared at the beach volleyball from now on, because the mission statement on food says: "All dairy products, beef, lamb and poultry must be British. In addition, bananas, tea, coffee and sugar will be or ethically sourced and traditional British cheese such as cheddar must be British."

Meanwhile, as sure as eggs is eggs, they must be free-range and Certified-chicken will be available.

All chocolate sold will be Fairtrade or ethically sourced. All fish will be sustainable.

I just hope the prices will be "fair trade" too. There'll be a huge captive market, the majority of whom will have forked out handsomely for their tickets, and who deserve to get good food at a decent price.

If all of that doesn't suit, rest assured that Maccy D's, Coca Cola and Cadburys will be there in force as commercial partners with their branded offers: so, it seems, the world's your sustainable, locally caught, red-tractor-standard compliant oyster.

Comments

  • Comment number 1.

    should do a nice parade for the olympics

  • Comment number 2.

    The Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) is three-quarters through its work to improve the transport network for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games and beyond. Surely when all the transport fazes are completed it will be much easier to get around London. Although they say everything is on track I still have seen plenty of transport opportunities on numerous websites. A spanner could still fall in the works but lets hope not. And as for eating, well this is a problem I never thought about until now. I am all for it if they are promoting healthy food. It will last a life time for the kids that get involved or take up sports because of the Olympics being in town.

  • Comment number 3.

    And part of the fun of watching the Olympics is grabbing a burger or a plate full of chips in between events. Stuff the alfresco and stuff the corporate entertainment. Most of us want to be served quickly with basic (but well cooked) grub which we can consume quickly to ensure we don't miss any of the action.

  • Comment number 4.

    Making me hungry already! Wonder what tasty s they'll have on offer.

  • Comment number 5.

    This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the house rules. Explain.

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