The Paris Summer Olympics 2024 will take place from July 26 to August 11, featuring 10,500 athletes from 206 countries participating in 329 events. This grand event is not only about sports but also about feeding all these participants. Every day, 40,000 meals will be served, including a staggering 3 million bananas and 80,000 pounds of coffee grounds throughout the games.
Sodexo Live! is responsible for providing meals for the athletes and the support staff in the Olympic Village. They aim to meet the nutritional needs of the athletes, offering 500 different recipes. These recipes are designed to cater to the diverse dietary needs and preferences of the athletes, ensuring they have the right fuel to perform their best.
The executive chef, Charles Guilloy, and his team have collaborated with sports nutritionists to create menus that reflect culinary traditions from around the world. The main dining hall, one of the largest restaurants in the world, seats 3,500 people and operates 24/7. The menu includes four culinary themes: French, Asian, World, and African-Caribbean, with options for various dietary needs, including halal.
The logistics of feeding so many people involve using mostly local ingredients, with 80% sourced from France and 25% from within 25 kilometers of Paris. Additionally, about 30% of the food will be organic, and they will use reusable plates instead of disposable ones for the first time. Despite the French setting, French fries will not be served due to the fire risk of using deep fryers.
With an emphasis on sustainability and nutrition, the dining facilities will also include a salad bar, grill, cheese station, bakery, hot food buffet, fruit bar, and dessert bar. Avocados will not be available because of the environmental impact of importing them. Overall, the Paris Olympics 2024 promises to be a celebration of both athletic achievement and culinary excellence.
Here are some of the fun food facts of the 2024 Summer Olympics:
Total Meals: 2 million meals will be prepared for the athletes, with 40,000 meals served daily.
Nutrition: Nearly 15,000 people will rely on the chefs and caterers for proper nutrition.
Imports: Bananas, coffee, and chocolate are the only items coming from other countries.
Bananas: 3 million bananas will be brought in for the athletes.
Coffee: There will be 27 tons (54,000 pounds) of coffee, with 40 tons (80,000 pounds) of coffee grounds reused as fertilizer.
French Fries: French fries will not be served due to the potential fire risk from using deep fryers around so many people.
Local Sourcing: 80% of the menu will be sourced from France, with 25% from within 25 kilometers (about 15 miles) of Paris.
All meat, milk, and eggs will be from France.
Plant-Based Ingredients: Plant-based ingredients will make up about one-third of the food.
Main Dining Hall:
Open 24/7 with 3,500 seats, it’s one of the largest restaurants in the world.
Will use 47,000 reusable plates instead of disposable ones for the first time ever.
Village Dining Options: Includes a salad bar, grill, cheese station, bakery, hot food buffet, fruit bar, and dessert bar.
Baguettes: 600–800 baguettes will be baked daily for the athletes.
Organic Food: 30% of the food will be organic.
No Avocados: Avocados will not be available due to their high water needs and long-distance import requirements.
