Food and drink in spotlight as Glasgow 2018 Food Charter is launched
THE best of Scotland’s food and drink will be on the menu for athletes, officials and fans during the Glasgow 2018 European Championships – a brand new multi-sport event arriving in Scotland next year.
The Glasgow 2018 Food Charter, which was officially launched this month by Fergus Ewing, cabinet secretary for rural economy and connectivity, and the lord provost of Glasgow Eva Bolander at Guy’s Restaurant in Glasgow’s Merchant City, aims to build on the success of the Glasgow 2014 Food Charter and Scotland’s Food Charter for Events by promoting local, sustainable food during the tournament.
With around 8500 people expected to visit the country for the championships, which will be set across 11 days and include a range of sporting events – from aquatics to cycling – organisers have vowed “to showcase the country’s thriving food and drink market to spectators and visitors – with an emphasis on healthy and responsibly-sourced local produce”.
“Glasgow is proud to be home to some of the world’s most innovative and progressive restaurants and food companies,” said Bolander.
“It’s exciting and a great source of pride that we can promise Glasgow 2018 fans, athletes and officials excellent and ethically-sourced food and drink during their stay.”
Companies providing food to visitors, athletes and officials at Glasgow 2018 will be asked to meet a set of key criteria, which includes the need to provide value for money, ensure healthy options are available and ensure all food is ethically-sourced and traceable.
Scotland’s craft beer and artisan coffee creators will also be promoted; visitors will be given the chance to taste products from the country’s emerging food and drink businesses.
Ewing said that, as well as providing Scotland with “an exceptional opportunity” to build on the success of hosting major sporting events, it also represents “a tremendous opportunity to showcase the best of our food and drink offerings to the many athletes and other visitors coming for the championships”.
