FIFA World Cup team ships food thousands of miles to avoid eating American cuisine

[Celerity]

Norway shipped more than 2,200 pounds of food to the United States as the World Cup newcomers prepare to avoid dietary surprises or changes before their opener against Iraq on Tuesday

https://www.themirror.com/sport/soccer/norway-food-shipment-world-cup-1885558



Most people might bring an extra suitcase for a long trip or sneak a favorite drink into a movie, but Norway took it a step further by shipping enough groceries to supply a small store for the FIFA World Cup. With Norway set for its first World Cup appearance in North America in 27 years, team officials have made sure players will eat the same foods they are used to back home during their stay in the United States.



Norway shipped about 2,200 pounds of food across the Atlantic, timing the delivery to coincide with the team's landing at the UNCG Soccer Stadium at the University of North Carolina. Meanwhile, a World Cup conspiracy theory quickly raged in the very first United States game. The cargo contained 661 pounds of pristine salmon and whitefish, 255 pounds of Norway’s caramelized national treasure, brunost, and 6,000 oranges.



In reality, the decision is practical. Coaches, nutritionists, and medical staff view sudden dietary changes as a real risk during major tournaments. Norway is also preparing players for the heat and humidity expected in North America. Many World Cup host cities now use hydration breaks, as seen during the Qatar versus Switzerland match that was interrupted by a music concert.



Three of Norway's top chefs, including Aron Espeland, will prepare four meals a day for the squad and staff, serving more than 60 people. The menus focus on familiar ingredients and dishes the players have grown up with. During the 2018 Winter Olympics in South Korea, Norway made international headlines after a translation error led officials to accidentally order 15,000 eggs instead of 1,500.

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[lame54]

1. China Olympics was a culinary disaster

[tanyev]

2. Gosh, they don't want to try screwworm burgers?

Go figure.

[malaise]

3. Love it

Rec

[GoCubsGo]

4. Understandable. Can't get a lot of that stuff here...

Especially in the Southeast, which doesn't have large Scandinavian populations. And, a lot of what we can get is imported, anyway...

[ms liberty]

5. I feel for the Norwegians, they are not used to this. It's brutal here in NC right now. Oppressive heat

I'm about 90 miles west in the foothills, and right now at 8:15 am it is 86 degrees outside with humidity in the mid-50's. We're expected to have thunderstorms later this afternoon.

[Liberal In Texas]

6. Good for them. Sort of like eating at Ikea?

Do they have the meatballs?
-joke-

[Celerity]

8. IKEA is Swedish, of course....

Also, our (I am half Swedish, half Bajan aka Barbadian) meatballs (köttbullar) are round and probably what you are thinking of.

Norway has kjøttkaker (meat cakes) which are larger and face up as flattened ovals.

Very similar, but Swedish meatballs are far more globally known (in good part due to IKEA, lol), and are a national dish here, but not so in Norway.

köttbullar





kjøttkaker

[ornotna]

10. Whatever they're called, they look yummy.

[haele]

11. My Finnish/Swedish grandpappy made his own meatballs, also -

And made a meat - butter- herb and cider or wine vinegar sauce from the drippings, then simmered the cooked meatballs instead of making the standard herb - cream sauce. They are similar to kottbullar, but regionally different.

But it's important to note when I replicate my grandpappy's recipe, to get the actual taste, I have to make them with a mix of fresh fine ground beef and pork shoulder (about 30% fat), and a small amount of very finely shredded shallots, and garlic along with the seasoning and almost powdered rye bread crumbs.
Using store bought frozen meatballs don't do it.

I can see why a smart, dedicated country would send food to their athletes. Belly bugs can really affect performance.

[Liberal In Texas]

14. Couldn't resist the joke.

All that food looks scrumptious!
Now I'm hungry.

[Prairie Gates]

7. Norway well known for its cuisine

Listen, I would mostly avoid eating American food if I could. Spending two-to-three months a year in Europe some years, I can attest that the food is simply healthier, and you feel better after eating it. I can see what they're saying.

[RockCreek]

9. Just avoiding the pesticides and e. coli contamination would make it worth it

Their bodies are not used to those. They are also used to getting nutrients in their food.
I live being in countries where a regular restaurant or grocery store has better quality food than organic, farm-to-table, etc in the US.

[GenThePerservering]

12. Not only did I have sticker shock when I returned to the US from the UK after months

and went to the grocery store, but I was dismayed at how much poorer the quality is here unless I am incredibly picky.

[Celerity]

13. Yes. The difference in quality between the US and much of Europe is amazing.

Our food over here (I live in Sweden) in terms of normal outlets (not even high end boutique stores) is so much better and, on balance. healthier than the US. Tastes so so much better too, on balance.