All Snail of Approval awards are given out locally by chapters, such as Slow Food Columbus; Slow Food USA is not an awarding body. However, in order to nationally recognize businesses, SFUSA created a minimum standard that all participating chapters abide by, known as the Eligibility Application. With this requirement, no matter where in the country a business operates, it must meet the baseline standard. 

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To be recognized with Snail of Approval distinction, Slow Food Columbus also requires that applicants list two other organizations that can vouch for their application AND complete a short 30-minute interview with at least two Board members. 

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