Åre 2019 takes responsibility for seafood on its menus

During the FIS Alpine World Ski Championships 2019 in Åre, only sustainably caught and responsibly farmed seafood will be served by Sweden’s largest kitchen in February 2019, with 35 chefs and over 100 staff. Åre 2019 has chosen to have its Championships kitchen certified according to the standards of the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) and Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC).

Clear labeling on the daily menus will demonstrate that the salmon being served has been responsibly farmed or the cod sustainably caught. The MSC (wild-caught fish) and ASC (farmed fish) standards provide guidance to those who wish to help protect our lakes, rivers and oceans.

The organisers of Åre 2019 have chosen to make the sustainability of their event operations a priority, from waste management to the use of renewable energy, sustainable transport and preference for regional products and services. To ensure the sustainability of the food and beverage provision, they decided to bring the entire operation in-house by establishing Sweden’s largest temporary kitchen for the duration of the Championships. The Åre 2019 kitchen will prepare close to 50,000 meals for VIPs, volunteers, media, and the public in the course of the two-week event. As part of its sustainability focus, Åre 2019 chose to have the Championships kitchen ASC/MSC certified.

“Given the global problem of overfishing, we decided to do what we can to improve the situation and will serve ASC and MSC-certified seafood to the extent possible. The ASC and MSC labels assure us and the consumers alike that the fish comes from sustainable fisheries or responsible farms,” said Neil Ponsonby, Managing Chef of the Åre 2019 Championships kitchen.

Ponsonby has prepared a stellar selection of menus, featuring everything from salmon and pike perch to shrimp.

“It is easy to believe that choices related to food and beverage provision during an individual event make little difference. However, when organizers of a major event choose to serve certified fish and seafood and talk about their engagement, demand for sustainable and traceable fish increases,” said Minna Epps, regional manager at the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) for the Baltic Sea region.

“Fish farming is the fastest growing food production system in the world. Fish and shellfish that are ASC labelled come from farms that care for their workers and the environment. By choosing ASC certified seafood, Åre 2019 contributes to a cleaner seabed, reduced use of antibiotics, healthier fish and a thriving local community,” said Inger Melander, Marketing Manager, ASC Northern Europe.