Snail of Approval

Current Snail Awardees

Snail of Approval is designed to honor food and beverage businesses that exemplify the principles of Slow Food including restaurants, farmers, breweries, wineries, ranches, fisheries, cafes, bars, food trucks, catered and food producers. Unlike other similar awards, Snail of Approval is a local award, allowing us to focus not only on the general values of Slow Food but on the Chicago community specifically. While awardees are selected by our local Slow Food chapter, the recognition of awardees is done both at the local and national level so both Chicagoans and slow foodies who may be visiting can find local food businesses that meet the highest Good, Clean and Fair standards.

The Snail of Approval awards are given out based on an evaluation focused on six areas: (1) Sourcing; (2) Environmental Impact; (3) Cultural Connection; (4) Community Involvement; (5) Staff Support; and (6) Business Values.

APPLY HERE TODAY!

Who Should Apply?

Any business that produces and/or offers food for public consumption and is pursuing the Slow Food values of good, clean and fair for all including but not limited to farms, breweries, restaurants, caterers, fisheries, cafes, bars, food trucks, food producers and wineries.

How to Win a Snail of Approval Award

1. If you are a food or beverage business and would like to apply for a Snail of Approval Award, fill out the Eligibility Application HERE. Please note the application takes approximately 30 minutes to complete and you will not be able to save your work in the middle so make sure you have time to complete it once started. If you have issues or need assistances with the application, please reach out to us at info@slowfoodchicago.org.

2. All businesses that receive a score of 56 or greater will be eligible to receive a Snail of Approval Award.

3. If your business scores a 56 or greater, a member of our team will reach out to you to follow up and discuss next steps.

4. A panel of SFC board members will review your application and choose nominees to receive the award.

5. You can nominate your favorite food or beverage business by filling out the form at the bottom of this page with a brief explanation about why you feel the business exemplifies the Good, Clean and Fair principals of Slow Food. We will then reach out to them directly with the Eligibility Application and steps.

6. If you score below a 56 fear not! A member of our team will reach out and work with you on ways that you can meet your goal so that you can reapply whenever you’re ready.

7. Awards are reevaluated every 2 years. This merely consists of completing the Eligibility Application again to update for current business practices. The goal is for businesses to increase their score each time!

What do Snail of Approval Awardees receive?

  1. A blog post on Slow Food Chicago’s webpage featuring your business.

  2. Recognition in our monthly SFC newsletter.

  3. Listing on the Slow Food Chicago Snail of Approval webpage and on the Slow Food USA National Directory.

  4. Promotion through SFC social media.

  5. A Snail of Approval decal to display at your business.

Snail of Approval Standards

GOOD

● Seasonality: Emphasis on use of seasonal, local, fresh ingredients.

● Taste: Fresh and wholesome ingredients; food is prepared with care and craft.

● Artisan: Presents food created by artisans; traditional foods are true to their cultural heritage.

● Authenticity: Heirloom and heritage breeds are true to their evolutionary history and incorporated in menus and products.

CLEAN

● Sustainability: Establishment uses natural products free of additives and strives to incorporate local, seasonal foods on the menu as much as possible with regard to provenance and production methods. Uses meats, dairy, fish, and shellfish that have been produced responsibly, sustainably, and humanely from reputable providers. Produce is grown and harvested with methods that have a positive impact on our local ecosystems and promote biodiversity.

● Low Impact: Produces food using products and processes that minimize waste and impact of food production/distribution (e.g., avoids single-use, non-recyclable packaging/products; participates in recycling/composting and prioritizes local and low-carbon procurement).

● Connection: Communicates regularly with distributors and producers about the quality, production and processing of products. Regular dialogue ensures traceability and a commitment to food safety.

● Health-forward: Promotes well-balanced offerings that nourish the body and mind.

FAIR

● Local Sources: Makes an effort to procure food sources in the City of Chicago, Illinois, or surrounding areas (ideally within 100 miles) to boost local economy and community morale.

● Awareness: Participates in community outreach and/or promotes community food security. Consistently practices transparency and educates customers about product sources.

● Fair Business and Labor Practices: Contributes to the quality of life in Chicago and surrounding areas through fair employment practices; purchases ingredients produced by people who are treated with dignity and justly compensated for their labor.

● Humane: Humans and animals are treated with dignity and respect, from farm to table. Use of growth hormones and antibiotics is limited. Animals are free to move and not confined. Managers and caretakers are thoroughly trained, skilled and competent in animal husbandry and welfare.

● Community: Contributes to the uniqueness and richness of the Chicago community. Involved in advancing the awareness of Slow Food principles in the community through sharing time, talent, knowledge, and/or resources.

Nominate a Local Business Here!