ByLeon Symons, Leon Symons
A mouth-watering prospect has been raised for the London Olympics in three years’ time — and it has nothing to do with sport.
Orthodox Jews who are enthusiastic sports fans usually ensure they have something to eat at such events by taking a packed lunch.
But that might not be necessary if the Jewish Committee for the London Games, part of the London Jewish Forum, gets its way.
It has asked the Games’ organisers to set up kosher food stands provided by the Games’ main food sponsor, McDonald’s.
Alex Goldberg, chief executive of the London Jewish Forum, said: “We have told the London Organising Committee for the Olympic Games (LOCOG) that there is no reason why there could not be a kosher — and for that matter halal — food stand run by Mcdonald’s.
“LOCOG has to deal with food diversity, which it will probably do through its faith reference group, and is taking this quite seriously. There is certainly a commercial model with large numbers of Jews and Muslims living around the area of the Olympic Park who will want to go the Games. It makes sense to have food on offer that they can eat.
“McDonald’s has a large number of outlets in Israel, a considerable number of which are kosher. So it has experience of working with kosher food,” said Mr Goldberg.
He said that the Forum had received support for the move from the East London mosque in Whitechapel.
He added that food was not the only matter to be considered by the faith reference group.
“There will be issues such as whether or not Orthodox Jews would be able to pay on Friday for food on Shabbat. Both Tisha b’Av and Ramadan fall during the Games, so there will be talks about faith provision in the Olympic Village.”
A spokeswoman for the London 2012 Organising Committee said: “Our food strategy covers the issue of catering for diverse dietary requirements which includes kosher and halal food. This will be a key part of our catering requirements.”