Post-Bulletin, Rochester MN

At Rochesterfest, it isn't uncommon to see someone sipping on an oversized slushy while holding a bag of minidoughnuts in the other hand.

But a group of vegetarian volunteers at the VIGOR Grill hope to get fair-goers to turn to tofu and organic juice. This is the fourth year the Vegetarian Information Group of Rochester has sold healthy, vegetarian food at the festival.

"We are providing a variety of foods," said volunteer Kati Berg. "The mission we want to get across to people is that of VIGOR which is to promote healthy, earth-friendly, compassionate living through plant-based food choices."

VIGOR is a nonprofit vegetarian organization dedicated to providing products and information as well as educating the public about a vegetarian lifestyle. Berg, chairwoman of VIGOR, has been with the organization since its founding and has lived a vegan life for more than five years.

"This lifestyle just makes me feel better," Berg said. "I just feel healthier."

Ingredients used in the dishes at the vendor are provided by their sponsors The Good Food Store and Backroom Deli, Garden Burger, Food for Life, Rudi's Organic Bakery, Naked Juice, and Whole Grain Milling.

With foods such as sandwiches, burritos, organic sundaes and other animal-free products, VIGOR has no problem making money, which goes to keeping the group active.

Monday's best-seller was the Black Bean Burrito with unsprouted grains, Berg said.

VIGOR Grill has seen a dramatic increase in business over the years as more people have learned about it.

"We have had a lot of business from people who say, 'Oh gosh, I didn't know you were selling here,'" Berg said. "So each year, we have a steady increase in customers."

Berg hopes more festivals will look for more alternative food choices.

"It would really be great to have more health-food stands," she said.