Glasgow 2014 today (Friday 29 November) unveiled its Commonwealth Games Food Charter that all appointed caterers to the event will be required to sign up to.

The legacy of the Food Charter will see it act as a blueprint for major sporting and cultural events held in Scotland beyond the Games.

Glasgow 2014 has worked in collaboration with Scottish Government partners, the Food Standards Agency – Scotland, and the food industry to develop the document.

As well as showcasing the Scottish larder, it outlines a commitment to the ethical, safe, and healthy-living standards for all food served across the Games, including traceability.

The provenance of food, where it comes from and how it has been produced, is central to the Charter which will establish Games-time food sourcing standards.

Glasgow 2014 seeks to showcase Scottish produce to help contribute to the wider industry ambition to grow the value of the sector and develop Scotland’s reputation as a Land of Food and Drink.

The Food Charter has been developed with advice from a range of stakeholders, including government agencies, educators, health agencies, Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) and communities to help them achieve their aims:

Scottish Government Food and Drink Industry Division
Scotland Food & Drink (and related industry stakeholders including Quality Meat Scotland; Seafood Scotland; Scottish Bakers and Soil Association Scotland)
Scottish Enterprise
Glasgow City Council
Food Standards Agency – Scotland
British Hospitality Association
Glasgow Restaurant Association
Scotland is a land of food and drink with some of the best natural produce in the world. The foods reared, grown and made here stand for quality – a value which people around the world attach to ‘Scotland’s larder’.

One of Glasgow 2014’s obligations is to stage a Games with responsible environmental and sustainability standards. It aims to minimise its impact on the environment and seek opportunities that will enhance the environment. One way of doing this is to adopt a strategy of sourcing local food, where possible, from sustainable and traceable sources.

Glasgow 2014 has produced this Food Charterto demonstrate its commitment to taking proper account of the sustainability in the food provided at the Games. Glasgow 2014 also aims to promote healthy living, and will do this via the provision of a variety of authentic foods, including healthier options.

The Food Charter will contribute to a key objective of both Glasgow 2014 and the Scottish Government’s Legacy 2014 programme: to improve the health of Scotland’s population, with a particular focus on the prevention of obesity.

Glasgow 2014 has developed a sustainable procurement policy for the purchase of goods, services and sponsorship. This policy highlights the importance of sustainable, ethical and socially-aware resourcing; factors that were also recognised by Scotland’s achievement of Fair Trade Nation status in 2013.

Sustainable food can be defined as food that, through its production, processing, distribution consumption and waste management, provides a range of benefits and minimises harm. It requires consideration of where the main impacts in food supply may be, for example in primary production, processing, packaging or distribution.

The charter signals Glasgow 2014’s intention to promote four themes:

Sustainability and culture
Resource and provision
Diversity, consistency and health
Standard practice
Glasgow 2014’s challenge is to deliver a catering programme that meets the needs of many stakeholders while remaining on time and on budget; and within space, security and supplier constraints. It will strive for best value and encourage open and transparent procurement of catering services and food supplies from businesses in Scotland, the EU and beyond.

Glasgow 2014 will publicise its successes, knowledge and good practice to emphasise the message that its Food Charter demonstrates commitment to sustainable procurement and to achieving good outcomes for athletes, for people working or attending the Games, and for food suppliers.

David Grevemberg, Glasgow 2014 Chief Executive, said:

“Scotland’s food and drink is among the world’s finest, so it’s fitting that Glasgow 2014’s Food Charter should set a new benchmark for the country’s major events.

“This Charter is the result of a great partnership between the Games and Scotland’s food and drink industry and demonstrates our shared ambitions for the highest standards in the sourcing of produce consumed during Glasgow 2014 by everyone from athletes to spectators.

“The Commonwealth Games is an opportunity to showcase Scotland’s outstanding produce and the values behind it to our visitors from across the globe.”

Richard Lochhead, Scotland’s Food Minister, said:

“This Food Charter will allow athletes and spectators alike to enjoy the very best of Scotland’s superb food and drink during Glasgow 2014, when the eyes of the world are on our nation.

“I look forward to seeing the principles and standards set out in the Commonwealth Games Food Charter used as a basis for a wider Food and Drink Charter for Events in Scotland. This will present a great opportunity for Scottish food and drink businesses to supply good quality, healthy, authentic food and drink at local, national and international events across the country starting in our second Year of Food and Drink in 2015.”

James Withers, Chief Executive, Scotland Food & Drink, said:

“Next year, Scotland’s rich natural larder will be sampled by visitors from all over the world, particularly during the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games.

“Throughout the Games, the Athletes’ Village and all the Games venues will benefit from this innovative Food Charter; a promise to proudly serve Scottish food of the highest quality and traceable provenance. Glasgow 2014 anticipates serving over two million meals, with the finest home-grown produce providing the backbone of this huge catering operation.

“Scotland Food & Drink and partners, who have helped develop the Charter, will now be striving to ensure it is firmly established as a legacy document of which we can be proud.

“I believe this can set a new benchmark, ensuring only the highest quality Scottish food and drink is sourced and served at major events. This is a hugely significant move from Glasgow 2014, and they should be proud of the standards they will be setting.”

Rhona Simpson, Chair of the Glasgow 2014 Athletes’ Advisory Committee, said:

“It is important that all competing athletes eat the best possible range and standard of food to fuel their performance levels during the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games.

“Through the Food Focus Group, the Athletes’ Advisory Committee have been involved in discussions to help ensure happens at Glasgow 2014 and we welcome today’s Food Charter.”