MIL OSI – Source: Heart Foundation – Press Release/Statement
Headline: Wellingtons Westpac Stadium Serves Up Healthier Options
Wellington’s Westpac Stadium have been working on some major changes in the catering area for about 4 years and have now started rolling out the new menu. Michael Kirk, the regional manager, said there is now enough demand from patrons for healthier and more interesting options than what has traditionally been available at such a venue. Along with the current requests they hope to drive more demand by making the new options more visible.
The stadium have embraced the current street food trend and have set up several ‘BBQ carts’ around the concourse serving items such as pulled pork and coleslaw subs. The other food outlets on the concourse are getting a makeover as well, with chilled food displays being put in so customers will get to see the healthier options on offer. Making the food more visible to their customers has been a large focus and something Michael believes will result in a greater number of healthier options being sold. Previously customers could only order from menu boards and more often than not would go for the safe options such as; chips, hot dogs and pies, rather than try something new. It’s no secret that we eat with ours eyes first so to speak, so having the healthier options visible is an obvious first step in increasing sales for these items.
The corporate lounge has also seen a great deal of change. Where previously the corporate guests were given a buffet of several large chaffing dishes full of food for the guests to pile onto their plates, now there is greater portion controlling happening. This has resulted in much less wastage and allowed the stadium to use better quality ingredients while still maintaining their profit margin.
It’s great to see such a large venue embracing healthier changes. We would encourage all venues to introduce similar measures. While to start with many people will still buy the chips and pies, seeing people next to them enjoying a delicious looking pulled pork and coleslaw sub might just be the catalyst needed to make them order something different next time.
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