Food all over the map at GOP, Democratic conventions
By Sara Burnett, Rocky Mountain News (Contact), Julie Poppen, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)
Published July 8, 2008 at 12:05 a.m.
To the many differences between Republicans and Democrats, add one more: menus for their presidential conventions.
The Democratic National Convention host committee guidelines for caterers suggest serving mostly organic fare or Colorado products, and avoiding fried foods. The guidelines even suggest color schemes on plates.
"This is the food police," groused Denver City Councilman Charlie Brown on Monday. "These people stood in line too long at the Aspen Food and Wine Festival."
He said he's heard from caterers who feel if they deviate from the guidelines, they won't get DNC business.
The Republicans have not placed restrictions on food vendors working events hosted by the Republican National Convention organizing committee, an official spokeswoman said.
The DNC host committee issued the guidelines a month ago as part of its Lean 'N Green initiative. The suggestions are meant to guide caterers submitting bids and restaurants that want to capitalize on the concept by offering at least one meal that adheres to guidelines, said DNC host committee spokesman Chris Lopez.
The host committee's only big event - one that will attract 10,000 people - is the welcoming party at Elitch Gardens. While the catered meal is designed to be nutritious, the DNC has not hired grease police to keep delegates from sneaking off to a funnel cake stand, Lopez said.
"These come across as hard and fast rules," Lopez said. "They're recommendations."
Paul DeLongchamps, owner of Bistro Boys Catering, has bid on parties during convention week.
As for color suggestions for meals, he said, "Can you name a blue food that Colorado grows? Purple potatoes are the only thing I can think of."
Healthy food DNC-style
DNC host committee meal guidelines
* Half a meal made up of fruits and/or veggies
* At least three of the following five colors on a plate - red, green, yellow, blue/purple and white (garnishes don't count)
* No fried foods
* At least 70 percent of ingredients (based on precooked weight) certified organic and/or grown or raised in Colorado
* Use of reusable serviceware
* No bottled water, use pitchers instead
* Encourage staff to use alternative modes of transportation
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July 8, 2008
6:04 a.m.
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Mike846 writes:
A classic example of Political Correctness run amok. Elect the Democrat candidate for President, increase their power in the House and Senate, and you'll have the same kind of mandates trickling down to any governmental function in the "interest of the public good". Meanwhile, they'll be arriving in their private jets, staying at the best non-union hotels, and generally each producing a carbon footprint (if, indeed, such a thing even exists) the size of a sasquach. The Democrats are absolutely nuts. How can anyone even think about them running the country? Mike
July 8, 2008
6:35 a.m.
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danirobi writes:
Republicans- Free to eat whatever they want
Democrats-Well they want to starve you at their convention
DNC-Colorado is an aired state, have fun trying to find half that crappy food.
July 8, 2008
7:36 a.m.
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vudumom writes:
Serve them pond scum. It will fit in with their "green" vision. It will recycle. It's organic and locally grown.
July 8, 2008
7:41 a.m.
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SockRayBlue writes:
How is everyone dealing with so many Democrats in Denver? I'm sure they've spread across the state visiting their "brothers and sisters in misery". Aspen Food and Wine Festival? WTF!!!!!
July 8, 2008
7:45 a.m.
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M2003 writes:
I retort – a classic GOP response, Mike846. Only a Republican would play the kind of “logic Twister” you’ve exhibited. Political Correctness run amok? We’re talking about healthy food here! I suppose treated water, school lunch programs and vaccinations are the same kind of “mandates trickling down” in the “interest of public good.” Good grief, where will the horror end! And how will the obese Republicans arrive at their convention in Minneapolis? On bicycles?…rickshaws?…on foot? If the Democrats are leaving carbon footprints the size of sasquatch, than the Rebublicans are Godzilla destructively rampaging across the globe while chugging 140-dollar oil from a beer-bong!
July 8, 2008
8:04 a.m.
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afvx3 writes:
Really Republicans are obese and Democrats are fit and organic. Anyone taken a look at Al Gore lately, the poster child for political correctness gone amok. He looks like he pounds 10 Big Macs a day in secret. Dem's are always trying to tell you how to live your life because they think they know better than you. Mix in a salad Big AL it will do you some good!
July 8, 2008
8:13 a.m.
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rickg19611 writes:
"The Republicans have not placed restrictions on food vendors"
"The DNC host committee issued the guidelines"
No surprise there. Republicans support FREEDOM. Democrats support government mandates that dictate how every citizen must live. Police state Democrats. Typical for other Democrat style regimes.... North Korea, Cuba, Soviet Union, etc, etc
July 8, 2008
8:13 a.m.
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LatkaGravitz writes:
M2003 writes:
"I retort – a classic GOP response, Mike846. Only a Republican would play the kind of “logic Twister” you’ve exhibited."
I thought Mike846's response was quite thoughtful. You may have missed that he was commenting on the hypocrisy of the DNC. Things like staying in non-union hotels, having their largest event at an amusement park with funnel cakes and all that lighting furnished by incandescent bulbs. Or how about the hypocrisy of Nobel Prize winning filmmaker and modern day prophet of Global Warming Al Gore? How big is his house and how much energy does it use? Compare it to GW Bush's (Satan's) ranch home in TX. Do some research on that, I think you'll be surprised, if you actually have an open mind, that is.
July 8, 2008
8:25 a.m.
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peter303 writes:
I'll vote for Obama if he changes to another party!
July 8, 2008
8:48 a.m.
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windbourne writes:
While I am fine with the dems saying how they want their food, the idea of telling the wait staff what to drive/arrive in has to be ridiculous.
And if you really think that the pubs are not setting their own requirements, then I would suggest that next time you go to a restaurant, that you tell them to serve you whatever.
I am guessing that you will not do that. For me, the idea of being served a medium to well-done steak would be worthy of giving it to the dogs. You know that you are going to give requirements on what you eat, wether it be simply that you want a good rare steak, baked potato with sour cream/chives or that you want colors on your plate (like the french or japanese do), organic, etc.
July 8, 2008
8:51 a.m.
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IRUNMAN writes:
Hey sasquatch...what exactly is range-fed tofu?
HAHA!!!!
July 8, 2008
8:56 a.m.
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Blondo writes:
Pajama: Are you referring to the HPV vaccination? That is a really lovely attitude. Is it your position that if a woman gets cervical cancer, she "deserves it" because she probably was a tramp? Do you have the same view of individuals who contract HIV?
July 8, 2008
8:59 a.m.
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DenverDan writes:
At the DNC, we eat Republicans!
ONAMA 08
July 8, 2008
9:03 a.m.
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temurlan writes:
I don't know Gene, given the liberals tendancy to "Do as I say, not as I do" I think you would be better off with a deep fried processed burrito and corn dog stand. The line would probably stretch around the Pepsi Center. You would make a killing.
Oh, and don't forget the fries cooked in trans fats.
July 8, 2008
9:11 a.m.
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ManginoTorreta writes:
" At least three of the following five colors on a plate - red, green, yellow, blue/purple and white (garnishes don't count)"
Looks like David Lee Roth got himself a seat on the DNC planning committee.
July 8, 2008
9:19 a.m.
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windbourne writes:
>>Sasquatch: A DNC mandatory community rectal exam will be performed in the privacy of the Pepsi Center in order to expose any DNC diet cheaters.
Unlike the pubs who will just visit the mens room to do the same for free, while trying to pass laws to charge regular citizens of the same? Or simply visit the local male hookers for same as well as drugs?
July 8, 2008
9:40 a.m.
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MaxInEnglewood writes:
Wow, I didnt know it was possible to have negitive comments about the type of food they will be serving. The way you all swarm on any kind of stories about Obama and the DNC is really sad. Have lives much? Kudos to the RMN for posting such a sh*tty and unecessary story, way to get the fire started kids! RMN has lost yet another reader courtesy of their lackluster writing and insanely moronic commenters.
July 8, 2008
9:51 a.m.
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IRUNMAN writes:
HAHA!!!!
Awesome windbourne!
July 8, 2008
11:32 a.m.
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LoneTreeLady75 writes:
Aww Max, dont let a few simple minds run you off!