Safefood and the Irish Football Association have teamed up to promote healthier food options at the National Football Stadium at Windsor Park.
The two organisations have been partners since 2021 with the aim of encouraging more kids to make healthy food choices and be active.
In a fresh initiative they have now teamed up with the goal of making the food environment at the National Stadium healthier for the public.
Healthier options being introduced by the association’s catering partner, Pan and Pour, include no chips or crisps as part of a meal deal with a sandwich or burger at kiosks in the stadium, no sachets of salt at the tables for corporate events and a cap of 250kcal on snacks/confectionery being sold at kiosks.
Dr Gary A Kearney, Chief Executive of Safefood, said: “Often the food offerings at our sporting arenas can be lacking in healthy choices but the Irish Football Association is bucking the trend.
“It is making significant steps towards changing its food offering in Northern Ireland’s biggest football stadium so that fans can make healthier choices.
“Having meal deals that no longer promote crisps or chips and offering only smaller bars of confectionery are positive steps towards building a healthier food environment for fans. Our hope would be that other stadia and sports venues will take inspiration from this in what they offer the public.”
Last June the all-island body with a remit of promoting the importance of good food hygiene in the family home and helping people make more informed choices about the food they eat agreed to work with the association for another three years.
Safefood, which is the Irish FA’s official healthy and safe eating partner and patron of the Irish FA’s Education and Heritage Centre, is set to reach out to around 4,400 primary school children, parents, guardians and teachers each school year up until mid-2027.
It will highlight the importance of healthy and safe eating through its football based ‘On the Ball – Healthy Know How for Active Kids’ programme of activities and events, including Safefood festivals and Irish FA Tours workshops. The programme is delivered in schools by Safefood representatives and Irish FA Foundation coaches.
Dr Kearney explained the stadium initiative was an extension of the partnership between the two organisations.
He said: “This work adds to our long-standing partnership with the association through our ‘On the Ball – Healthy Know How for Active Kids’ programme, which is also helping build healthy positive habits for children from a young age that they will carry through their lives.”
Anita Hamilton, Head of Stadium Operations at the Irish FA, said: “We’re proud to be taking meaningful steps towards creating a healthier matchday experience at the National Football Stadium at Windsor Park. Working with Safefood and our catering partner, Pan and Pour, we’re committed to offering fans better choices without compromising on quality or enjoyment.”
For more information on Safefood visit www.safefood.net.
Image: Anita Hamilton, Head of Stadium Operations at the Irish FA, Dr Aileen McGloin, Director of Nutrition at Safefood, and Andrew Dougan, Director at Pan and Pour, promote the new initiative aimed at providing healthier food options at the National Football Stadium at Windsor Park.
