The Bashkortostan regional government is looking to award a $76,000 contract to catering agencies that can provide sanctioned Western cheeses at official functions next year.
According to the terms of the contract, caterers should be able to serve Camembert, Maasdam and mascarpone cheeses at official banquets in the southern Russian region, documents on the government's state procurement website show.
European cheeses have been off the menu for most ordinary Russians since August, when the country enacted a sweeping ban on Western food imports in response to sanctions against Moscow for its policy on Ukraine.
In addition to providing a well-stocked cheese board, caterers should be able to serve whisky that is "no less than 18 years old," as well as local delicacies such as horse meat baked in vine leaves, the documents show.
Caterers have until Jan. 12 to apply for the tender.
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Remind me later.
