Strolling of the Heifers was an annual
local food parade and festival hosted in
Brattleboro, Vermont each year.[1] The organization behind the parade expanded to support other local food initiatives, most notably a
Locavore Index, which evaluates the availability and policy support for local food in American states.[2][3][4][5]
Festival
The celebration was founded in 2002 by Orly Munzing, with a focus on
sustainable agriculture in the region.[1] The parade was inspired by the
Running of the Bulls, but instead of enraged bulls, groomed
heifers walked down the main street wearing garlands and flower decked hats.[6]
Senator
Bernie Sanders attended the parade nearly every year,[7][8] and has been credited with inspiring the parade by founder Orly Munzing.[9]
In January, 2023 Munzing announced that the parade would be discontinued and the funds disbursed between three organizations; The Winston Prouty Center (a center for child and family development), The Downtown Brattleboro Alliance and the Agritech Institute for Small Farms.[10]
Other programs
Strolling of the Heifers expanded from just running a parade, to also include small business development programs and local food advocacy programs.[11] For example, they ran a culinary skills program for training the local workforce.[12] The organization also published its annual Locavore Index, which rates the capacity of different states for providing
local food.[2][3][4][5]
The Strolling of the Heifers owned The River Garden, a building in downtown Brattleboro.[13]