RAGBRAI adding vegetarian options

Thu, Jul 28, 2011 | by Regina Zilbermints

Grinnell — Vegetarian food is getting more prevalent along the RAGBRAI route, but its still vastly outnumbered by meat on a stick and walking tacos.

Enter Judy Arendt.

The arts director of the Grinnell Area Arts Council wanted to offer cyclists something different as they rolled through Grinnell. So she set up a vegan food stand, featuring tofu burgers, soy milk, and black beans. Even the rice krispies treats were vegan.

“I’m very happy,” said Renee Massengill, turning away from the table with a tofu burger in hand. The Texas woman is traveling with a bike shop this year, but has ridden RAGBRAI before. She’s a vegetarian and said she’s notice more and more vegetarian-friendly food.

Arendt said she wanted to serve something light and cool, and figured their would be athletes on the ride concerned with what food they were eating.

“More and more people are choosing vegetarian or vegan options,” she said.

They had a fair number of customers by 4 p.m., but Arendt said she was hoping business would pick up as more cyclists arrived for dinner.

The stand was just one of the many local options available for riders and support crews.

All the vendors, aside from a few bike shops, were local to Grinnell.

“We wanted to showcase what we have,” said Angela Harrington, the president of the Grinnell Chamber of Commerce. “Because we want you to come back.”

Grinnell, Grinnell Area Arts Council, Grinnell Chamber of Commerce

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