In a programme outlined to farming leaders, the firm will commit to raise awareness of the key role British farms will play in providing produce for the
Olympic Games, and to promote the very best practice in standards and welfare that those farms demonstrate.
As a first step, McDonald’s will throw open the gates to some of the British and Irish farms that supply its menu and which will also provide meals for athletes, organisers and spectators at the London 2012 Olympic Games. The public will be able to see firsthand the farms that will supply quality British produce for what will be the biggest peacetime catering operation in the world in two years’ time.
In addition, McDonald’s will:
- Formally share best practice from farms supplying the Olympics with the rest of the farming community
- Feature farms supplying the Olympics in national television advertising
- Continue to support agricultural shows and awards that reward the best
- Work with a range of organisations to use the Olympic Games as a global shop window for British and Irish produce
McDonald’s UK chief executive Steve Easterbrook announced the measures at the Olympic Park at an event attended by LOCOG chairman Lord Coe, Olympic athlete and world champion gymnast Beth Tweddle, senior figures from agriculture and some of the British and Irish farmers who supply McDonald’s.
Peter Kendall, President of the NFU said: “This shop window will raise the profile of British agriculture and allow it to demonstrate the industry’s world leading standards of production.”
Bill’s Olympic role
Derbyshire dairy farmer Bill Dilks will be part of the effort to provide 14 million meals at the 2012 London Olympics. How? He’s signed up to provide organic milk for McDonald’s and as part of the multinational fast food provider’s Olympic campaign, will open his farm later this year to show how great British food is.
Pictured from left, British athlete (fencing) Katherine Kempe, David Brass of the Lakes Free-Range Egg Company, McDonald’s UK chief executive Steve Easterbrook, dairy farmer Bill Dilks, beef farmer Richard Hoskin, British gymnast Beth Tweddle, and Lord Sebastian Coe
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