The Snail of Approval

Good, clean, fair food in Western washington!

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Our application review process for the Slow Food SEATTLE Snail of Approval is closed for the season. We will open our 2025 application process on November 1, 2024.

The Snail of Approval award is a recognition given to food and beverage establishments in western Washington that are pursuing and practicing Slow Food values in their business. Awardees are food producers who contribute to the quality, authenticity, and sustainability of our local foodways and are regarded as outstanding among peers.

Unlike other food awards, the Snail of Approval is always awarded locally and through the lens of a sustainable food system. The award is based on evaluations focused on the following six areas:

  • sourcing,

  • environmental impact,

  • cultural connection,

  • community involvement,

  • staff support, and

  • business values.

Our Goal

Our goal is to create nationwide awareness that recognizes the impact of vital food organizations. We can generate greater support for these important businesses by eating, participating, volunteering, patronizing, donating, and spreading the word.

Who Should Apply?

The Slow Food Seattle and Slow Food Greater Olympia chapters have joined together to increase our award area to include the following counties: Whatcom, Skagit, Snohomish, King, Pierce, Thurston, and Lewis. We encourage applications from food producers in those counties who:

  • have been established for at least one year,

  • produce and/or offer food for public consumption, and

  • are pursuing and practicing Slow Food values of good, clean, fair food for all.

This includes, but is not limited to restaurants, cafes, bakeries, caterers, coffee shops, food trucks, markets, farms, farm stands, ranches, fisheries, bars, breweries, wineries, distilleries, cooking schools, and value-added food producers+.

Here’s how it works

Step 1: Submit an application

  • The application is multiple choice and takes about 30-45 minutes to complete. Here is a link to the national Snail of Approval Eligibility Application. A passing score is 30%.

  • If you’d like to check out the application before filling it out, here is a preview.

  • We’ve borrowed the evaluating principles from B-Corp.

  • Applicants who receive a score below 30%, don’t worry! The minimum is a very high standard for any food establishment and we completely understand the road to sustainability is a journey. We would love to work with you on ways you can meet your goal so you can reapply whenever you are ready.

Step 2: FOllow-up Process

  • Applicants who score at least 30% on the national Snail of Approval Eligibility Application will be contacted by a member of our local Snail of Approval Committee to participate in a short 30-minute online follow-up interview. This is a great opportunity for us to get to know you and your good business practices a little better.

  • The committee uses a scorecard to guide the conversation. Here is an example SCORECARD we use for restaurants, bars, caterers, and foodtrucks.

  • Based on the eligibility application score and the follow-up interview, the Snail of Approval Committee will present their recommendations to the Slow Food Seattle or Slow Food Greater Olympia board of directors, and the board will approve the awardees.

Step 3: Award / recognition

By being awarded a Snail of Approval, you join a local and national network of like-minded food producers promoting a sustainable food system. As an award recipient, you will:

  • receive a letter of congratulations, a certificate, a Snail of Approval window decal for your place of business, as well as digital assets for menus, signage, and other online platforms;

  • be featured in Slow Food’s newsletter, website, and social media platforms; and

  • gain national attention on Slow Food USA’s map and directory.

Make a Nomination

Do you have a favorite food producer who practices Slow Food values? Encourage them to apply or send us an email at info@slowfoodseattle.org with the business’s name, contact info, website (if applicable) and a short explanation of what your nominee is doing for our food community and how they best exemplify the beliefs and principles that embody Slow Food.

If you have any questions or would like more information, please email us at info@slowfoodseattle.org.