- At the very early stages of the Games, the team worked with the Island Games Committee on their scope of work for the catering for the athletes. This is the food that will be provided in the athletes lounge for the duration of the games. We advised on how the food could meet four key aims for creating healthy meals: increasing fruit and veg, increasing fibre, reducing sugar and reducing processed meat. Examples include swapping plain noodles for wholemeal and ensuring that there was always fruit available with every meal.
- The Island Games committee got in touch to talk about the supply of meals to the volunteers who are working at the games at venues that do not have a food provision. Due to our relationship and knowledge of the retail industry we approached the Co-op and were able to work with them on a process to put a delivery service in place.
- We asked all the supermarkets on the island for their support on a ‘free fruit’ provision at various events. Marks and Spencer very kindly provided 700 pieces of whole fruit including bananas, apples, and oranges for the Youth Games on Saturday May 20th at Footes Lane, they also provided fruit to make fruit kebabs as part of an Island Games themed event during half-term for children who were attending the Sports Commission's ‘On Your Marks’ provision.
- We are using the Island Games as a platform to amplify our Food 4 Sport campaign where we are encouraging sports clubs who provide food to their members to make simple changes to their food provision. As part of this work, we are visiting primary schools across the islands in the lead up to the Island Games where we are inviting local Island Games athletes to come and inspire the children by talking about their dedication to their sport, how they train, how often they train and the importance of eating well. We take in a box of bananas so that all have access to a piece of fruit. We are attending 10 schools in total.
- At the opening ceremony, we have a team of volunteers handing out fruit prior to the commencement of the ceremony. There is expected to be 10-12 thousand people in attendance, so this is a great opportunity to spread the ‘5 a day’ message. The Co-op very kindly have donated the fruit for this event.
- During the week of the Games, we are offering fruit to the primary schools at various Fanzones. This is a great opportunity for pupils to feel a part of the Games and to watch the athletes competing.
- During Games both The Liberation Group and Aztech Soccer teams are running an offer on an Island Games themed meal with a photo caption competition. The Eat Well team have supported them to offer meals during the week of the day which will adhere to the four key aims. These meals will have an island games sport name and have our Tommy T (Food 4 Sport) logo next to them to help signpost towards these choices. The idea is that people take a photo of their meal with a caption to win some sports vouchers. Watch out on social media for more details!