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Business & Money

Swedish soldiers secure missing pea soup dinner

Published: 2 Jul 11 12:39 CET | Print version
Online: http://www.thelocal.se/34698/20110702/

Deviating from the Swedish tradition of serving pea soup on Thursdays turned out to be an expensive mistake for caterers to the Swedish Armed Forces (Försvarsmakten).

The Blekinge county wing, stationed in southern Sweden, recently decided to change their restaurants' caterer after heavy criticism from soldiers missing the traditional Thursday fare, according to regional newspaper Blekinge Läns Tidning.

The soldiers disliked the small portions they received, and were displeased when the traditional pea soup was taken off the menu one Thursday too many, replaced with sausage stew and fish dishes.

Pea soup is traditionally served for Thursday's dinner, along with pancakes for afters.

The Swedish Armed Forces have long been soup-enthusiasts, and have even boasted their own line of canned pea soup, known as "Försvarets ärtsoppa" sold in well-stocked Swedish supermarkets.

Sodexho, the catering firm that had provided the Blekinge Wing's food for the last four years, have thus lost a contract worth roughly 300 million kronor ($47 million).

From now on, catering company Scandinavian Facility Management will be in charge of the menu, which is likely to include pea soup and pancakes on Thursdays.

TT/The Local/cg (news@thelocal.se)

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14:35 July 2, 2011 by domsworld77
nice to see the forces are keeping themselves busy
00:35 July 3, 2011 by Strongbow
The army pea soup is excellent.
11:08 July 3, 2011 by krattan
This article made me smile. I don't know if it's for the stubborn traditionalism or that Sodexo, a crap company, gets it. Probably both.
17:20 July 3, 2011 by Eroth
Its all about the pancakes.
07:53 July 4, 2011 by karex
Maybe the former caterer was trying to cut costs after having its budget reduced so the armerd forces could finance Political Week?
10:52 July 4, 2011 by BrittInSweden
"sold in well-stocked Swedish supermarkets."

There is no such thing as a well-stocked Swedish supermarket.
11:14 July 4, 2011 by jacquelinee
How bad must the other option have been if they were up in arms to get THIS back? YUCK!
20:48 July 8, 2011 by millionmileman
Only once a week. Shame! The Royal Navy has rum every day.

I have friends from Sweden and and India. My recipe could be a killer for the FMV

because they all rave how good it is, being identical in taste for each of their enjoyment. It's the Cardamom, Cinnamon and Marjoram.
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