Valley Preferred Cycling partners with Rodale on organic concessions

TREXLERTOWN — The Valley Preferred Cycling Center is partnering with Rodale Catering and Events to offer a completely organic concession stand for the 2010 season.

Fans will still be able to enjoy their race-night favorites such as hamburgers, French fries and hot dogs, but they will be prepared from organic ingredients fresh from regional providers. In addition, the new menu will include an organic black bean burger, local pulled pork sliders, organic pizza by the slice, fair trade organic tea and coffee, and specialties like veggie wraps.

"We think bringing in Rodale Catering and Events to operate our Breakaway Cafe concession stand adds to that uniqueness in a way that builds on and enhances the track racing experience," said VPCC Executive Director Marty Nothstein.

Nothstein also announced that Michelob Ultra will be an official sponsor for the 2010 professional racing series and Allentown Beverage will provide the beer and wine for the concession stand.

Rodale Catering and Events will operate the Breakaway Cafe as an independent contractor with exclusive rights to food service at the facility, including catering for all sponsor events during the season. The velodrome also benefits through the costs savings of outsourcing the concession operations, Nothstein said.

"We believe that the gold standard of food is organic and local," said Heidi Rodale, Rodale Inc. board member and vice chairperson of the Valley Preferred Cycling Center.

The Valley Preferred Cycling Center is the nation's foremost velodrome and the only one in North America to offer a full season of professional, Olympic-caliber competition through its World Series of Bicycling events every Friday night from June 18 through Aug. 27. In addition, the 24-7 Fitness Clubs Pro-Am Series on Tuesday night showcases the rising talent of riders from throughout the United States and other nations and often features the Friday night pros who frequently use the Pro-Am races for training.

The velodrome opened in 1975 and is celebrating its 35th anniversary in 2010. Bob Rodale donated the facility to Lehigh County shortly after its construction and it is operated by the non-profit Velodrome Fund. As a county park, the track and the Bob Rodale Cycling and Fitness Park across the street are open to cyclists when not in use for training or racing.