Red Tractor–the gold standard for London 2012 games
UK farmers and growers will play a major role at the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games with news that the majority of food will be Red Tractor Assured.
The London Organising Committee for the Olympic Games (LOCOG) made the announcement during the launch of the’Food Vision’for the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. LOCOG has committed itself to providing the most sustainable Games in history and as part of that will be procuring UK Red Tractor Assured food wherever seasonally possible.
The NFU has represented the farming industry in discussions with LOCOG since the start of the year including being a member of the London 2012 Food Advisory Group as well as chairing two London 2012 Food Sub-Groups.
In line with London 2012’s sustainability commitments, the London 2012 Food Vision sets out benchmark and aspirational standards in how it sources food. LOCOG has set UK Red Tractor Assured as the benchmark standard which will be the most challenging ever set by a summer Games. In practice this means thatall meat, traditionally British cheeses such as cheddar, other dairy products and where seasonally or realistically available fruit, veg, salads and cereal based products will be UK farmed and grown, be fully traceable and been produced to strict standards from farm to venue. Eggs must be British Lion mark and free range. Any food imported will also be required to be traceable and additionally products such as bananas, tea, coffee or sugar will be Fairtrade. All chocolate products will also be Fair Trade or ethically sourced.
LOCOG will also ask suppliers to consider how a proportion of food can meet their aspirational standards and these include RSPCA Freedom Food or Free Range pork and chicken, Organic or LEAF Mark certified.
Throughout the duration of the 2012 Games, 14 million meals will be served at 31 competition venues to23,900 athletes and team officials, 20,600 broadcasters and press and a workforce of 160,000. Food quantities in the Olympic village alone will involve 232 tonnes of potatoes, 31 tonnes of poultry items, more than 100 tonnes of meat, 75,000 litres of milk and around 330 tonnes of fruit and vegetables.
NFU President Peter Kendall said:"It’s extremely good news that the work of UK farmers and growers has been recognised and will play a significant role providing 14 million high quality meals during games. 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.
"It is often described as’the largest peace-time catering operation in the world’. 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 sustainable catering standards in the future."
