15 July 2024

What are they serving at the Olympics in Paris? Vegetables! Well, actually, they plan to highlight vegetables, fruits, legumes and whole grains from various regions on France, as they consider nutritional value AND environmental impact. It's all part of Paris 2024's strategy to halve the carbon footprint of catering the Olympic games.

Apparently, renowned French chefs will serve 13 million meals over the 30 days of the Olympic and Paralympic games. Consideration of the FOODPRINT of all these meals has potential for tremendous impact. Paris 2024 Food Vision goals include halving both the carbon footprint of meals (compared to previous Olympics) and single use plastic (opportune for Plastic Free July…and always!).

Even more importantly, France - the ultimate foodie destination - will be bringing the concept of delicious plant based food to the masses - not just Olympians, but also family members, spectators, media and business sponsors. Soon the world will know what we already do…this stuff is good!

All food served at the Olympic restaurants (where some may argue the games are secondary to the fine cuisine!) must meet strict sustainability requirements, 80 percent of it must come from France, and each venue must offer vegetarian options.

A lot of the sustainability focus is based on existing French laws and regulations that include obligations to use at least 80% seasonal and local ingredients, reduce animal products by at least 50% and to combat food waste. I was pleased that the Pleasantville Music Festival was a “zero waste" event (which in this case, just means they compost the food waste and provide free water refills), but we don't have many laws mandating responsible prevention of food waste around here.

We're kind of on our own, people. It's in everyone's benefit to prevent food waste (save money), eat local, seasonal food (likely more nutritious) and consume a plant predominant diet (reduces risk of heart disease, diabetes, cancer). Individually and as a community. I'll say it again because it bears repeating: Make [at least] half your plate vegetables!

On the menu at the Paris 2024 Olympics…

• vegetarian shawarma
• grilled eggplant
• beetroot falafel
• vegetarian hot dogs
• quinoa muesli.

Wish I could go! In case you want to read more about it, see here:

Paris 2024 | Food Vision