London: Over 14 million meals will be served during the Games, across 40 locations – the largest peace time catering operation in the world. 833 spectator concessions featuring more than 150 different types of dishes will showcase the great diversity and quality of British food at affordable prices.
The food will fit into two main themes. British food will reflect the multicultural mix of flavours and foods enjoyed across the UK, including everything from Italian dishes to Indian curries, seafood to salad and wraps as well as classic favourites like fish and chips and pie and mash.
The heritage and diversity of British regional products and recipes will be celebrated, for example lamb from Wales, charcuterie from Perthshire and sourdough bread from Tower Hamlets made in a traditional brick oven lined with peat from the Thames.
With 195 nations represented in the 6 host boroughs, London is a global city and there will be international food from every continent – from authentic Asian dishes to African Brai barbecues, Caribbean flavours to tasty Mediterranean dishes and a range of street foods from around the world.
As well as the millions of ticket holders and spectators, LOCOG is also responsible for feeding more than 15,000 athletes across both the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games.
The primary concern of the 23,900 athletes and team officials is to make sure they perform to their peak on competition days. Their ability to do this depends in no small part on the provision of familiar and nutritionally balanced food and drink, which will be available at exactly the right time of day or night.
1.2 million meals will be served to athletes, comprising 1300 different types of dishes. On the busiest day of the Games, over 65,000 meals will be served to athletes.
The main dining room seats over 5000 athletes and can fit the equivalent of 880 double decker buses. The room consists of four zones including British, European, Mediterranean, African and Caribbean dishes and caters for special diets such as Halal, Kosher, low salt and allergens.
In line with London 2012’s sustainability commitments, all fruit, vegetables and cereals are Red Tractor accredited, British and seasonal where available.
All dairy, beef, lamb, pork and poultry is also Red Tractor accredited as a minimum. All fish, with the sole exception of squid, is sustainable including the complete exclusion of species and stocks identified by the Marine Conservation Society (MCS) as ‘fish to avoid’ and all wild-caught fish meeting the FAO Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries.
In addition, bananas, tea, coffee, sugar and white and rose wine are Fairtrade or ethically sourced and traditional cheeses are British. Eggs are British Lion mark free range and all chocolate sold is Fairtrade or ethically sourced.
Another integral part to London 2012’s sustainability commitments is the ambitious aim to become the first ever Zero Waste Games. LOCOG has partnered with the Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP) to improve packaging and recycling. During the Games, event waste from public areas will be channelled into three waste streams (recycling; food and compostable packaging; non-recyclables) depicted by colour-coded icons for the bins and packaging.
The catering industry has been quick to adopt the London 2012 Food Vision, helping to create a stronger, more sustainable catering and hospitality industry that will be a legacy of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Organisations who have adopted these standards include the National Trust, London Zoo, 15 London universities, the Metropolitan Police, Transport for London and a wide range of restaurants and caterers, serving well over 100 million meals a year.