Nomination and Application Process

1. Individuals fill out the Slow Food Vermont Snail of Approval Nomination Form.
   • Slow Food Vermont members may nominate restaurants or artisans of products in the State of Vermont that follow the principles of good, clean, and fair food.
   • Restaurants that are owned or managed by Slow Food members may nominate themselves.
   • Only Slow Food Vermont members may nominate restaurants or artisans for the Snail of Approval. Applicants are required to be Slow Food members if self-nominating for the Snail of Approval.
2. Nomination forms are submitted to the Slow Food Vermont Snail of Approval Committee.
3. Nominees are contacted, at which point they may decide to proceed with the application.
4. Applicants submit their application and fee to the committee
5. The Committee evaluates applications and a visit to the restaurant or business takes place to fact check the application.  A recommendation to the Slow Food Vermont’s Board of Directors is made for final approval.
6. The Board of Directors votes at the following Board meeting. Decisions are made on a quarterly basis. Deadlines for applications are January 10, April 10, July 10, and October 10 of each calendar year. Decisions will be announced on March 15, June 15, September 15, and December 15 of each calendar year.
7. Applicants receive notice detailing if they met the criteria and the next steps for receiving the Snail of Approval (fees, rules to maintain their good standing) are communicated. Applicants that are not approved are sent a notice detailing why their application was rejected.
8. Awardees receive the Snail of Approval Public relations package including decals to display the Snail of Approval logo on their business’s websites and promotional materials as desired.
9. Awardees are listed, along with a description of products and services, on Slow Food Vermont’s Snail of Approval webpage and promoted according to our Public Relations package.

Application Fees

Your application fee is refundable if you do not receive the Snail of Approval.

• $50 for businesses grossing up to $100,000 annually
• $150 for businesses grossing $100,000-200,000 annually
• $300 for businesses grossing $200,000-500,000 annually
• $500 for businesses grossing over $500,000 annually

Monitoring and Evaluation Process

Slow Food Vermont monitors the integrity of Snail of Approval restaurants and artisans through ongoing feedback from Slow Food Vermont members.

Snail of Approval certification is good for two years; renewal follows the initial process. Applicants re-applying must also re-submit the application fee.

Slow Food Vermont invites our members to nominate a restaurant or business that exemplifies the Slow Food values of Good, Clean, and Fair.  The nomination form can be submitted using the form below.  We look forward to hearing from you!