NEWPORT BEACH, CA - Do you ever wonder who supplies food to hungry athletes? With an increased focus on local and organic products, plus a heavy emphasis on plant-based options, local farms are supplying produce such as potatoes to the Olympic Games. Fresh Solutions Network’s Side Delights® brand announced that for the 2024 Olympics in Paris, the Athletes’ Village is open from July until the September close of the Paralympics, and during this time, 15,000 athletes and millions of guests are served meals at 35 venues.
“Plant-based meals like potatoes are becoming the preferred choice from pantries to Paris,” said Kathleen Triou, President and Chief Executive Officer. “Side Delights potatoes are a cost-effective, nutritious solution that are the perfect meal for athletes or anyone. Consumers enjoying the Olympics can cheer on the USA with recipes from their hometown or their favorite athletes with recipes like California Avocado Tri-Color Potato Salad and Tex Mex Shepherd’s Pie or celebrate the host country with Potatoes Boulangèreand French Potato Salad.”
The “Paris 2024 Food Vision” plans to cut the amount of animal products provided at the event by half of that in 2021. At least 60 percent of the meals offered for sale to spectators will be vegetarian, according to a release referencing data from Food Vision. Athlete’s meals will be 33 percent plant-based including more than 600 tons of fresh produce.
“It is an honor to be providing potatoes to the Olympics,” shared Lionel Plasmans, Owner of a farm in Villeron, north of Paris.
Potatoes contain 26 g of the carbohydrates and 620 mg of potassium, an important electrolyte necessary for performance. Potatoes also contains the ever important B6 vitamins.
“Nutrition plays a crucial role in sports performance. Most world-class athletes enjoy a steady intake of proteins, carbs, and healthy fats before training or competing and for recovery time,” reported the Culinary Nutrition Advisor for the Food Platform.
As consumers continue to lookout for nutrient-dense produce, potatoes will be at the forefront of minds, especially going into the colder months.
