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Snail of Approval Award Application

Welcome to Slow Food Philadelphia’s Snail of Approval, designed to honor those involved with bringing food to the table that exemplifies the principles of Good, Clean and Fair Food in and around the regions of Philadelphia. A directory of farms, breweries, wineries, cideries, fisheries, restaurants, cafes, bars, food trucks, Co-ops/Food Markets, caterers, and food/beverage producers.   

Unlike other similar awards, the Snail of Approval is a local award selected by our local Slow Food Philly chapter. Awardees are recognized at the local and national levels so Philadelphians, New Jerseyians, and visiting travelers from around the world can find local food businesses that meet the highest Good, Clean and Fair standards. Slow Food Philly celebrates our local foods; we want to recognize those who grow and prepare them. We invite you to reach out and meet these dedicated individuals and support their businesses, for they strive to provide us with healthy and authentic foods. Every effort has been made to keep this information up-to-date and accurate. Please contact us with suggestions for additions, comments, or questions about our listings.

About the Snail of Approval

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.

Any business that produces and offers food for public consumption. Pursuit of the Slow Food values of good, clean and fair for all, including but not limited to farms, breweries, wineries, cideries, fisheries, restaurants, cafes, bars, food trucks, Co-ops/Food Markets, caterers, and food/beverage producers.   

GOOD

Seasonality: Emphasis on using 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 into menus and products.

CLEAN

Sustainability: The establishment uses natural products free of additives and strives to incorporate local, seasonal foods on the menu as much as possible concerning 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 positively impact 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: Communicate regularly with distributors and producers about product quality, production, and processing. 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 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, or surrounding areas (ideally within 250 miles) to boost the local economy and community morale.

Awareness: Participates in community outreach and 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 Philadelphia and surrounding areas through fair employment practices; purchases ingredients produced by people treated with dignity and justly compensated for their labor.

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

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

Note that applicants should NOT fill out the application in the “preview” format; it must be filled out using the actual application

To apply for a Snail of Approval Award, fill out the Eligibility Application HERE. Please note the application takes approximately 30 minutes to complete. You will not be able to save your work in the middle so make sure you have time to complete it once you start. If you have issues or need assistance with the application, please get in touch with us at info@slowfoodphilly.org.

Prior to starting the application please preview the Eligibility Application here to ensure all information is available. You will not be able to save your progress as you go.  The application is completely multiple choice and usually takes 30-45 minutes to complete.

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

* A Slow Food Philly steering committee panel will review your application and choose nominees to receive the award.

A Slow Food Philly team member will contact the award winner to discuss the next steps.

  • Recognition in our SFP newsletter.
  • Listing on the Slow Food Philly’s Snail of Approval map and directory in addition to the Slow Food USA National Directory. 
  • Promotion through SFP social media.
  • A Snail of Approval decal to display at your business.

Awards are re-evaluated every two years. Therefore, Slow Food Philly must receive an updated Eligibility Application on current practices before the anniversary date. 

**If you score below 56, fear not! A team member will reach out to suggest ways to meet the standards and then reapply when ready.

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

Nomination Form

Please contact us with any questions.

Philadelphia Snail of Approval Award Winning Establishments