This award is awarded by Slow Food Western Slope. In order to create a national standard, Slow Food USA created a standardized national eligibility application. The minimum requirement to win the Snail of Approval award is to pass this eligibility application. From this point, Slow Food Western Slope can add its own requirements such as an interview, site visit, a vote by a panel, or additional questions. Or Slow Food Western Slope can decide that passing the initial evaluation is enough! Once Slow Food Western Slope decides to give the award, it will submit the awardee information to Slow Food USA to be included in the national directory of award winners.

Slow Food USA has borrowed the evaluating principles from B-Corp. The evaluation calls for a minimum score of 56 out of 128 points. While the minimum is a high standard for any food establishment, we realize that the road to sustainability is a journey and we want to partner with our awardees on increasing their scores every evaluation period.

That means, some of the questions are brownie points – scoring the applicants extra but not punishing those who aren’t quite there… yet! So each question is another opportunity to gain points, not a test meant to deduct points.

Slow Food Western Slope is excited that you are interested in joining a network of like-minded food entities leading the fight for a sustainable food system. To apply, please go to https://s.pointerpro.com/snailofapproval23 to complete the Slow Food Snail of Approval Standard Eligibility Application.

Unlike other food awards, Snail of Approval does not have a group of people huddled away in an office adjudicating far away chefs and restaurants. Snail of Approval is a grassroots award, administered by local Slow Food chapter leaders. That means awardees can build long lasting relationships with other like minded slow foodies around good, clean, fair food for all. Slow Food Western Slope also does not just award for excellent food (although we love delicious food). We care about sustainable practices inside the kitchen, the establishment’s relationship with the community, and the cultural connections in sourcing.

By being awarded with the Snail of Approval, you join a national network of like minded food entities fighting for a sustainable food system. Slow Food Western Slope is excited to welcome awardees who each bring their own story, experience, and expertise. Snail of Approval is all about supporting vital businesses and organizations in a local food system. It is how we will continue to be resilient, diverse, and strong. Practically speaking as an awardee you will be:

• Receive official Slow Food Snail of Approval award mark
• Listed on national awardee map and directory
• National marketing campaigns and events
• Spotlighted on local chapter email blasts, social media, and networking events

All Snail of Approval awardees are re-assessed every two years after their initial award. The review process is at minimum a refilling of the eligibility application to reflect current business practice and status. The hope is that all awardees continue to score higher each review– as the journey toward better food and better food systems is a lifelong endeavor.

The Snail of Approval committee is composed of volunteer leaders who serve a two year tenure. They convene twice a year to address issues and proposed amendments to Snail of Approval processes. If you would like to suggest a change in the evaluation process, you can submit your suggestion to snailofapproval@slowfoodusa.org. The committee has the power to call a general vote for all chapters involved in the Snail of Approval program for significant amendments to the program.