What is The snail of approval?

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. This is more than about making good food — it’s about making commitments to the environment, local communities, employees and purveyors, and our core values of anti-racism and anti-oppression.

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 Portland 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. As a result, both Portlanders and slow foodies visiting can find local food businesses that meet the highest Good, Clean and Fair standards. The Snail of Approval award is given by local chapters based on evaluations focused on the following six areas:

Sourcing

  • Business values

  • Community involvement

  • Cultural Connection

  • Environmental Impact

  • Sourcing

  • Staff Support

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 Portland chapter encourages any food business in the greater Portland Metro Area to apply who:

  • have been in business for at least one year,

  • food products must be publicly available, 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.

How to apply

Step 1: Submit an Application

We are currently accepting applications for 2026. Food producers must be in business for at least one year, and their products must be publicly available.

  • Please note the application takes approximately 30-45 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 hello@slowfoodportland.com.

  • 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.

apply here

Step 2: Follow up Process

Applicants 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 food trucks.

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

Step 3: Award and 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 Portland’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 or restaurant who practices Slow Food values? Please encourage them to apply.

FAQs