Organisers have been trying for more than six years now, since London launched its bid to host the Games, that only food and drink from two of the Olympics two biggest sponsors would be available at venues, along with confectionary products from Cadbury, a London 2012 Tier Two supporter.

But in a new document, released today, London 2012 has laid out its plans for what they claim is the largest peace-time catering operation in peace-time history.

Current projections are that McDonald's catering at the Olympic Park will amount to about 20 per cent of the total food provision available to the public, London 2012 claim, and the rest will the best of British wherever possible.

All soft drinks and mineral water will be provided by Coca-Cola who are committed to providing wide variety of drinks including still, sparkling, low and no sugar, 100 per cent juice, water, sports and energy drinks.

In addition London 2012 has confirmed that free drinking water will be made available at all Games venues and Coca-Cola have already promised that they will not prevent spectators bringing in their own drinks to the Olympic and Paralympic venues.

More 14 million meals will be served during the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games, across 40 locations, the document reveals.

London 2012 will be responsible for feeding the 15,000 athletes across the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games.

It is estimated that to do this will require in excess of 25,000 loaves of bread, 232 tonnes of potatoes, 82 tonnes of seafood, 31 tonnes of poultry items, 100 tonnes of meat, 75,000 litres of milk, 19 tonnes of eggs, 21 tonnes of cheese and 330 tonnes of fruit and vegetables.

Paul Deighton, the chief executive of London 2012, outlined the importance of the document.

He said: "Catering for the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games is a monumental task.

"We want athletes and spectators to have the widest choices of food available and we want that food, wherever possible, to be British."

Double Olympic gold medalist and London 2012 Sustainability Ambassador James Cracknell (pictured) said: "As well as the millions of ticket holders and spectators, the Organising Committee is also responsible for feeding more than 15,000 athletes across both the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games.

"When you're an athlete at a Games, you want to know that the right food is available at the right time - it's a vital part of your preparation.

"The approach being taken for the food provision at London 2012 is the same for both athletes and spectators - responsibly sourced and ensuring a wide choice."

London 2012 are also due next year 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.

In line with London 2012’s sustainability commitments, the London 2012 Food Vision sets out benchmark and aspirational standards in how it sources food.

The benchmark standards will be the most challenging ever set by a summer Games, London 2012 officials claim.

They have set Red Tractor standard as the benchmark standard across meat, fruit, vegetables, salads, cereals and dairy.

All dairy products, beef, lamb and poultry must be British.

In addition, bananas, tea, coffee and sugar will be Fairtrade or ethically sourced and traditional British cheese such as cheddar must be British.

Eggs must be British Lion mark free range and RSPCA Freedom Food Certified chicken will be available.

All chocolate sold will be Fairtrade or ethically sourced.

All fish will be 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.

David Clarke, the chief executive of Assured Food Standards, which runs the Red Tractor scheme, said: "We are delighted that LOCOG are committed to sourcing Red Tractor certified food that represents high standards of food safety, animal welfare and environmental protection.

"This initiative provides a great opportunity to communicate an extremely positive message that the food provided to everyone involved in the 2012 Olympic Games and Paralympic Games will be fully traceable and has been produced to strict standards from farm to pack."

The London 2012 Food Vision has been developed in consultation with the London 2012 Food Advisory Group, which includes representatives from DEFRA, Food Standards Agency, the National Farmers Union (NFU) and Sustain: The Alliance for Better Food and Farming.

The publication of this document coincides with the beginning of a major procurement push for LOCOG in the catering sector to supply food, staff and catering outlets.

Opportunities exist for suppliers of all sizes and from all locations – contracts will be advertised via CompeteFor, the London 2012 business portal.

Catering staff will also be given extra training to ensure a uniform standard of customer care, as well as food safety and hygiene at all Games venues.  London 2012 aims to particularly focus on the London Host Boroughs to support the staffing of food outlets at Games-time.

The chosen caterers will join London 2012 commercial partners Coca-Cola, McDonald's and Cadbury which will also be supplying food and drink and will provide the only branded products on sale.

Deighton said: "We want to ensure everyone at the Games has a fantastic experience and key to that is the food and drink that’s available – we want it to be affordable, sustainable and celebrating the fantastic diversity and quality of what Britain has to offer.

"We also want to ensure that there is a great legacy for the catering industry in this country, ensuring it is even better equipped to provide quality, sustainable food and drink for events both large and small.

"Over the next year we will work with our partners and the catering industry to deliver a solution that works in 2012 itself and for years to come."

Peter Kendall, President of the NFU, said: "London 2012 is often described as 'the largest peace-time catering operation in the world' and I’m very pleased that LOCOG recognises the important role that UK farmers will play in providing 14 million high quality meals during this time.

"Committing to procure UK Red Tractor assured food wherever seasonally possible delivers on LOCOG’s promise to provide fresh, quality food for all at the Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2012.

"Never before has such a large scale catering contract had such sustainable procurement standards and I hope that this can act as a blueprint for minimum catering standards in the future."

The full document can be downloaded by clicking here.

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


Related stories
October 2009: Exclusive: Coca-Cola back London 2012 plan to let fans bring in own drinks
September 2009: Healthy eating cafe fears McDonald's will force it out at London 2012 venue
July 2009: Cracknell appointed sustainability ambassador by London 2012
October 2008: Coe to face London Assembly and will have to answer questions over McDonald's