Croke Park Are Pioneering Their ’50-Mile Menu’
Croke Park Are Pioneering Their ’50-Mile Menu’
Words: Shamim de Brún
Images: Instagram
In the realm of sustainable gastronomy, Croke Park has long been an unusual trailblazer, and now, they’re taking their commitment a remarkable 50 miles further. Enter the era of the “footprint.”
Not as well known for its eco-conscious practices as its sporting events, Croke Park is now introducing a groundbreaking concept to champion locally sourced, seasonally inspired cuisine at its conferences, meetings, and corporate events. The Croke Park 50 Mile Menu showcases an array of ingredients cultivated within a 50-mile radius of the iconic stadium.
Sustainability has come to the GAA pitch. These days conscious consumers are looking for sustainable business models that buy Irish and Croker is one of the gems in that sense. They put their money where their morals are and have been investing in their local community for generations. The team behind it has been keeping up with food trends towards local and this menu is the culmination of that vision.
85% of all produce utilized by Croke Park Meetings and Events hails from the verdant landscapes of Ireland, with an impressive 70% sourced within the immediate 50-mile vicinity, a domain that even includes Croke Park’s very own farm.
These measures not only slash food miles but also significantly diminish the carbon footprint of events, ensuring that gatherings hosted at Croke Park are environmentally responsible, serving only the freshest and most seasonally aligned produce.
Marie Smyth of Croke Park Meetings and Events emphasized the gravity of this innovative concept, stating, “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 passionate team have crafted a new range of seasonal, sustainable, and sensational menus, including our groundbreaking 50 Mile Menu.”
The meticulously curated menus boast an impressive roster of 50-mile suppliers, featuring esteemed names such as Boyne Valley Meats, Kish Fish, Hugh Maguire Butchers, Ballymooney Foods, Kerrigan’s Mushrooms, Garden of Eden Herbs, McCarthy’s Strawberry Farm, Taylor’s of Lusk, Iona Fruit Farm, John Thorne of Lusk, and many more. At Croke Park, it’s not just an event—it’s a culinary journey within a 50-mile radius of excellence.
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