Dems' daunting ideas on convention chow

DENVER, July 8 (UPI) -- Organizers of the upcoming Democratic convention in Denver say their healthy menu suggestions for caterers are recommendations, not demands.

The Denver host committee is encouraging caterers to provide meals that are healthy and focus on ingredients that are either organic or, at least, produced in the host state.

The guidelines also include no bottled water and recommended colors for the food, as well as urging servers to take the bus to work rather than driving.

The Rocky Mountain News said Tuesday the idea isn't going over too well with some.

"This is the food police," said Denver City Councilman Charlie Brown. "These people stood in line too long at the Aspen Food and Wine Festival."

The newspaper said some caterers are worried they won't win any bids for the scores of parties in the city if they deviate from the guidelines, but host committee spokesman Chris Lopez said the recommendations are just recommendations and not "hard and fast rules."