Slow Food Springfield
Snail of Approval (SoA)
What is Snail of Approval?
Slow Food recognizes the impact of vital food organizations and aims to create nationwide awareness of these producers and purveyors. The goal is to stimulate greater support for these important businesses— by eating, participating, volunteering, patronizing, donating, and spreading the word. Unlike other food awards, Snail of Approval always awards locally and through the lens of a sustainable food system.
Applicants are evaluated on:
- Sourcing
- Environmental Impact
- Cultural Connection
- Community Involvement
- Staff Support
- Business Values
We hope to celebrate the great achievements of local establishments as well as provide resources for them to continue their sustainability journey. The goal is to stimulate greater support for these important businesses—by eating, participating, volunteering, patronizing, donating, and spreading the word.
The Slow Food Snail of Approval award is a recognition given to food and beverage establishments that are pursuing and practicing Slow Food values in their business.
What are the Slow Food values?
Slow Food envisions a world in which all people can access and enjoy food that is good for them, good for those who grow it and good for the planet.
Our approach is based on a concept of food that is defined by three interconnected principles: good, clean and fair.
- GOOD: quality, flavorsome and healthy food
- CLEAN: production that does not harm the environment
- FAIR: accessible prices for consumers and fair conditions and pay for producers
Who’s eligible for Snail of Approval?
Any food business or organization that produces and/or offers food for public consumption and is pursuing and practicing Slow Food values of good, clean, fair food for all—restaurants, farms, ranches, fisheries, cafes, bars, food trucks, breweries, wineries, caterers, value-added food producers.
Want to nominate a business? Here’s how!
- Check out https://slowfoodusa.org/snail-of-approval/ for information on the Snail of Approval honor. Here’s a handy application checklist to help you see if the business you’re considering meets the SoA criteria.
- Nominate a local business by emailing [email protected] and tell us the business’ name, best contact, website (if applicable) and short summary of why you are nominating them.
- Nominees will be contacted and apprised of the nomination and award requirements.
- Willing nominees will need to complete the Snail of Approval Eligibility Application aiming to achieve a score of 56 or greater in order to be eligible to move on to the next step in the process. The multiple choice application takes about 45-60 minutes to complete and applicants must complete the application in one sitting. SFS is happy to provide guidance for each of the six critical areas: sourcing, environmental impact, cultural connection, community involvement, staff support, and business values.
- SFS will conduct a 30-minute interview and site visit with businesses scoring a 56 or higher on the SoA Eligibility Application.
- Based on the Eligibility Application score, interview, and site visit - a panel will select awardees.
- Awardees will receive their Snail of Approval award and marketing package at Slow Food Springfield’s Annual Dinner.
What are the benefits of Snail of Approval Designation?
- Snail of Approval is a high honor and awardees are listed on the Slow Food USA and Slow Food Springfield Snail of Approval webpages.
- Awardees will attend the Slow Food Springfield’s Annual Dinner as our guest and be recognized at our Snail of Approval award ceremony.
- Awardees receive a marketing package to highlight their achievement and promote awareness.
