
Croker Scores with 50 Mile Menu
Croke Park is championing seasonally inspired and locally acquired food for meetings and events, with carbon “foodprint” scores and a new 50 Mile Menu concept, making it easier for businesses to plan sustainable and environmentally conscious events.
Most events now have a commitment to being as sustainable as possible, so event organisers will be eager to hear that every dish on these new menus have been given an innovative carbon “foodprint” score, such is the level of detail and traceability put in place by the Meetings & Events team.
Croke Park is also the first events venue in Ireland to launch a 50 Mile Menu, featuring ingredients sourced only within a 50-mile radius of Croke Park. Businesses can choose to build their entire meeting or event around the 50 Mile offering.
Croke Park Meetings & Events source 85% of all produce from within the island of Ireland, with 70% grown or produced from within a 50-mile radius of the stadium, including Croke Park’s own farm. This statistic inspired the events team to develop the new menus, which serves to showcase local suppliers and gives clients more choice and control when it comes to deciding how strong a sustainability focus they want their event to have.
Croke Park is already a world-leader in sustainable events and practices. Commenting on this new initiative, Marie Smyth from Croke Park Meetings & Events said:
“We take our sustainability as seriously as our sports and want to make it easier for businesses to plan sustainable and environmentally conscious events. Our Executive Chef, Ruairi Boyce, and his team have created a new range of seasonal, sustainable menus for attendees to enjoy at their next event. Using our catering partner Aramark’s ‘Foodprint’ labelling system, all menu items now come with a carbon impact score.”
The Croke Farm in North County Dublin provides locally grown turf to keep the pitch in top condition, but the farm is also used to grow a selection of herbs and fresh fruit and vegetables for use in the stadium’s menus. Croke Park has also partnered with Fingal Beekeepers' Association to have beehives to support bee and pollinator activity and produce a unique Croke Park honey.