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SNAIL OF APPROVAL AWARD RECIPIENTS
SNAIL OF APPROVAL
Congratulations to the 2023 Snail of Approval awardees!
Thank you for embracing Slow Food values in your businesses every single day. We are happy to celebrate your commitment to universal access to food that is good for eaters, good for those who grow/raise it, and good for the planet.
WE LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING TOGETHER AND EXPANDING OUR MISSION OF GOOD, CLEAN, AND FAIR FOOD FOR ALL!
Denver Snail of Approval Recipients
SULLIVAN SCRAP KITCHEN
Sullivan Scrap Kitchen is a casual eatery with a focus on reducing food waste. Their mission is to utilize and promote sustainability in food practices, community partnerships, and employees.
POTAGER RESTAURANT & WINE BAR
Potager means kitchen garden. The unifying theme is that of being immensely satisfying, locally sourced and seasonally driven. Potager draws upon the season and what is grown locally.
COMAL HERITAGE FOOD INCUBATOR
Comal is a heritage food incubator that supports immigrant and refugees entrepreneurs in the Denver community. Their mission is to serve as a platform for economic development for aspiring immigrant and refugee women entrepreneurs to learn the skills to find a great job in the industry or launch their own business using our earn-while-you-learn model.
HEALTHY HARVEST
“We are a small family business seeking to improve our planet and our community by offering certified-organic foods and products that are sustainably made and naturally promote optimum health and wellness. We believe nature provides us with everything we need to look and feel our best.”
SOMEBODY PEOPLE
As a vegetable forward dining experience, Somebody People celebrates the local seasons, embraces the whole vegetable, and provides an entertaining service in a fun filled environment whilst minimizing waste along the way. At the end of each week, Somebody People hosts ‘Sunday Supper’ where all of the produce in house is cooked up. The Sunday Supper is the only menu available minimizing food waste.
APPLE BLOSSOM
A lively farm-to-table restaurant inside the Hyatt Centric Downtown Denver, Apple Blossom offers breakfast, lunch, dinner, and celebrates the best of America’s seasons with a focus on the agricultural bounty of local and regional ranchers, farmers, and purveyors.
COPERTA
Seasonal vegetables and the freshest fish and shellfish feature prominently in Coperta cuisine, as well as meat and game from local, responsible sources. It is a simple cuisine of sustenance, using only what the earth and sea can seasonally provide–nothing more and nothing less. They proudly work with Colorado’s best farmers and ranchers to bring the highest quality Southern Italian experience to Denver.
ANNETTE
Caroline Glover founded Annette in the fall of 2016. She created Annette for three simple reasons: to serve dinners as though they were guests in her home, to make a place where people can share food — and tell stories — they’ll remember, and to prepare “scratch-to-table” and wood-fired fare that honors food producers, nourishes eaters and embodied craftsmanship, creativity and rustic simplicity.
THE FEEDERY AT GROW + GATHER
Grow + Gather is an urban farm, restaurant, market, coffee shop and event venue, producing fresh vegetables, artisanal goods and food-centric experiences for the local community. As big fans of the local food movement, they set out to make it better by uniting the farm and table under one roof. The ingredients are fresher, flavors are bolder and the connection to the food and our community is more local than ever.
RUBY'S MARKET
Ruby’s Marketplace takes you on a cultural journey. It invites you into a space filled with artisanal and local food as well as art and crafts from around the world. It invites you to indulge in beautiful offerings, but also to learn the stories of the many creators whose works are quartered in this quaint, home-style shop. Many of these creators are refugee and immigrant entrepreneurs breaking into the local economy. An integral part of the market is Ruby’s Pantry which collects and distributes culturally appropriate welcome boxes of food to immigrant families as they arrive in our community.
GLADYS
Nestled in the Edgewater Public Market, this hidden gem dazzles with its upscale, veggie-centric cuisine. Chefs Dave and Rocky employ their artistic flair to continuously craft new dishes that showcase Colorado’s seasonal vegetables, as regulars passionately request menu items be retained due to their exceptional taste. Moreover, the restaurant demonstrates environmental consciousness by eschewing plastic wrap and prioritizing composting, even when inconvenient.
TEATULIA
If you’ve been looking for an upstanding tea company to support, look no further. This Denver based business has created a truly wonderful business that begins at its fully regenerative, organic tea farms in Bangladesh where locals are employed at an above average pay. Employees are also given access to healthcare clinics, computer literacy courses, and a cattle lending program. Teatulia does more than provide high quality tea, it strives to create a closed circle that benefits humans and the planet alike.
HAYKIN FAMILY CIDER
This beautiful cidery infuses each of its ciders with the passion that seeps from owners Talia and Daniel whenever they are given the opportunity to speak on cider, Colorado apples, and their community. They are not only raising the bar on cider to a new level that can perhaps only be called an art, but they are also setting new standards for environmental impact, community involvement, and thoughtful sourcing.
THE GREEN COLLECTIVE
The Green Collective Eatery may be a fast-casual style restaurant, but their approach to food is anything but that. Everything from their juice jar return program to their support for other local, small businesses is incredibly intentional. They embody the words that adorn their wall, “let food be thy medicine,” beyond just physical health. They help to foster a healthy relationship with the world around them in countless ways.
RIOJA
This upscale restaurant sets the bar high when it comes to sourcing. They can list off the numerous vendors and local producers they feature in their Mediterranean menu without a second thought, which speaks to their values and the effort that goes into building a seasonal, creative menu. We recommend visiting their beautiful copper-topped bar or intimate booths to enjoy a glass of Spanish wine and some flavorsome, inspired menu.
HEALTHY BY DESIGN
Healthy By Design is a local producer of pickled and fermented veggies. They do an incredible job of sourcing local, organic ingredients from Denver and Boudler area farms to create flavorful jars of healthy goodness! This awardee is shared with Boulder as a Snail of Approval with both chapters.
SFOGLINA
This Denver-based pasta company seamlessly blends the artistry of homemade pasta with the flavors of seasonal ingredients. The result is a unique local business with Italian roots, firmly established in the heart of Colorado. Sfoglina places a strong emphasis on utilizing local and heritage ingredients, refusing to compromise on taste. While they don’t operate from a physical location, you can find their pasta offerings at various farmers markets and local grocery stores. One standout feature of this small business is their Pasta Club – a monthly subscription service that delivers inventive, seasonally-inspired pastas right to your doorstep.
CHOOK
This delightful neighborhood eatery serves mouthwatering Australian-style roasted chicken. What sets them apart is their prestigious B Corp certification, a challenging accomplishment. We adore not only their responsibly sourced chicken but also their array of Colorado-sourced, veggie- centric sides like celery-apple slaw and smashed cucumbers. Their sides alone are worth a visit!
LITTLE HOUSE OF TEMPEH
This farmer’s market institution has quickly become our favorite source of local tempeh. Their efforts to source intentionally, organically, and local when possible is just one reason they’ve recived our award. The family-run business strives to reduce waste, limit environmental impact, and do good in the community at every turn.
FLEISCHER FAMILY FARM
This local farm not only occupies a neighborhood spot at the end of a city block, but also a special spot in the hearts of everyone in their community, including ours. The family run farm operates a weekly farm stand and local CSA to increase access to fresh food. Additionally, fleischer offers classes and workshops to educate the community on growing methods, preserving skills, and more. This merely scratches the surface of the work they’re doing!
CAPPELLO'S
Cappello’s is a provider of gluten free prodcuts ranging from frozen pizza to cookie dough. The business champions the humble almond and helped to found The Almond Project in their effort to promote regenerative farming within the industry. Headquartered in Arvada, the company has a local presence, but provides both delicious and intentional grain-free foods on a national level.
WOLF'S TAILOR
Experience an innovative, multi-course tasting journey at the Wolf’s Tailor, blending seasonal highlights: fresh garden produce in warmer months and inventive local grains and fermentation in cooler seasons. Embracing a zero-waste ethos, their ambitious culinary and beverage choices showcase skillful techniques and compelling narratives drawn from their team’s diverse journeys and influences. Awarded 1 star and 1 green star by the Michelin Guide in 2023.
HEY KIDDO/OK YEAH
Hey Kiddo is where natural curiosity meets bold spirit; invention meets comfort and quality. The kitchen and bar are built responsibly, with kindness and people in mind. There is a place for everyone. If you are looking for a good + fun dinner service Hey Kiddo is the spot. If you are looking for a cocktail experience with hand rolls, OK Yeah is the place.
BRUTØ
The Brutø menu is centered around core ingredients, curated thoughtfully and carefully in a way that encourages little to no waste between their tasting counter and their bar program. BRUTØ offers the rare opportunity to witness every step in the culinary process up close. The restaurant beautifully cultivates an intimate dining expereince with both their outstanding team and the incredible food they create from intentionally sourced ingredients.
Farm & Market
This RiNo business is a market, restaurant, and hydroponic farm all in one. They not only sell delicious salads, handhelds, and other flavorful, nutritious options, but they also offer bags of freshly grown greens, herbs, and veggies. Farm & Market is boldly trying to change the Denver food scene by using innovation and creativity to grow produce in an urban setting. They prioritize their team, sustainability, giving back to the local community, and so much more.
Boulder Snail of Approval Recipients
BLACKBELLY
Blackbelly works exceptionally close with local ranchers and farmers primarily within a few miles of the restaurant. These farmers provide an amazing example of Colorado’s bounty, and what they cultivate directly effects the menu decisions the chefs make on a regular basis.
FAROW RESTAURANT
“We believe in working with the absolute best ingredients and treating them with the utmost care. All food has a season in which it is at it best and brightest. Each ingredient we cook with is completely seasonal and grown or raised as close to the restaurant as we can get it. Because of this, our menu will be forever changing as things come and go out of season.”
24 CARROT BISTRO
“Our approach to food is simple; farm to table, fresh, seasonal and local. We believe in using the highest quality ingredients sourced and grown sustainably. We offer a broad menu of chef inspired appetizers, small plates, and entrees in a refined, casual atmosphere. With outstanding quality, you’ll find a wide variety of fresh seafood, locally sourced vegetables, and antibiotic and hormone free meats and poultry.”
FORTUNA CHOCOLATE
Fortuna was born on a bicycle in the streets of Tokyo and at a long wooden table in the Danish countryside. It was born on the beaches of the Pacific Ocean and in the forests of the Rocky Mountains. Cacao is our medium. 100% of their packaging is compostable and recyclable. 100% of the proceeds from their merchandise is reinvested in the important change they believe in.
PASTIFICIO HEIRLOOM WHEAT PASTA
Pastifico Boulder has joined an influential community of entrepreneurs and activists seeking to eliminate the negative nutritional and environmental impacts of our mass-produced food system. They partnered with like-minded farmers committed to growing organic, heirloom grains. They mill their own fresh flour, and experiment with numerous small-scale pasta production and drying techniques.
THE MOUNTAIN FOUNTAIN
The Mountain Fountain is a country store featuring an eclectic mix of regionally sourced food and gift items. Featuring a gluten free bakery; a coffee bar; a wide variety of bottled drinks; a deli with sandwiches made-to-order and a butcher shop with locally pastured meats, including 100% Grass fed beef and lamb. They support our local Hygiene farms and ranches, as well as many Colorado and regional food producers and makers.
GB CULINARY
“Our approach is guided by experience, philosophy and flexibility. We choose to run our own farm and contribute to our local food system because it provides the highest quality ingredients, a chef’s dream. But the effort is more than a matter of supporting our chef’s French techniques and Southern staples. We use the best of our bounty so our clients’ menus are marked by the very date they chose for their event. We repurpose our failures for pig feed and compost. From scratch technique starts with seed charts, piglets and being neighborly. Boutique means we don’t scale up, rather we embrace why we do what we do.”
DRYLAND DISTILLERS
With a focus on single grain 100% wheat whiskeys, prickly pear cactus spirits, native Colorado gin, and pure cane sugar rum, Dry Land spirits represent the authentic flavors of the American West. We produce every spirit we sell, down to the bitters we use in cocktails in our tasting room.
WHISTLING BOAR
Celebrating Colorado Farms – Creating Soulful Food Experiences. Dedicated to sustainable hospitality practices and building community with Colorado farms to provide farm to fork experiences one plate at a time.
LA MUSETTE AT THE WHEELHOUSE
Chef and owner, Skyla Olds takes tremendous care in everything she creates. This food truck may seem tiny, but her flavors are mighty! She sources locally and truly cares about Good, Clean and Fair food for all!
URBAN FIELD PIZZA & MARKET
We’re so much more than great pizza! With a chef-driven and guest-facing approach, Urban Field Pizza and Market offers unique interpretations and cultural twists of grandma’s classics utilizing local, fresh ingredients. In our market, you’ll find meals for home, soups and sauces and pantry items from our kitchen as well as a variety of products from local business partners—bouquets of flowers from Lyons, heirloom tomatoes grown a few miles away, honey from a beekeeper in the neighborhood.
Our unique approach to hospitality embraces the immediate and on-demand nature of modern society by employing diverse and flexible service models. Built on pillars of kindness, acceptance, patience, and empathy, Urban Field provides hospitality grown from connection and common sense while offering service and meal options for all lifestyles and occasions. Located in downtown Longmont, Colorado.
Our unique approach to hospitality embraces the immediate and on-demand nature of modern society by employing diverse and flexible service models. Built on pillars of kindness, acceptance, patience, and empathy, Urban Field provides hospitality grown from connection and common sense while offering service and meal options for all lifestyles and occasions. Located in downtown Longmont, Colorado.
MASA SEED FOUNDATION
We believe access to locally adapted; heirloom seed is a human right. MASA has solidified a Front Range Seed Bank of open pollinated, locally adapted heirloom farm grown, rigorously selected seeds.
Our Mission is to enable a vibrant, local food system for the Front Range with a bio-regional seed bank driven by strategic farm designs for the production of organic seeds, plants and produce.
Our Mission is to enable a vibrant, local food system for the Front Range with a bio-regional seed bank driven by strategic farm designs for the production of organic seeds, plants and produce.
COMMUNITY TABLE FARM
Our mission for the Community Table Farm is to inspire and empower our community to gather around local, healthy food through experiences in growing, preparing and enjoying delicious fresh meals directly from the farm.
CROSSCUT PIZZERIA & TAPHOUSE
This little mountain pizzeria sources as locally as possible, especially in the winter. They support high country farmers and ranchers in Colorado. Located in Nederland, Colorado this pizzeria is a wonderful place to meet friends and stop by for a slice after a day of skiing.
BEE SQUARED
The mission of Bee Squared is to “Bee Exponentially Better” as defined by the following: We will sustainably produce, source, harvest, pack and distribute hive products. We will provide our employees with a compensation and benefit package that exceeds the industry standard. We will donate a minimum of 2% of revenue to pollinator causes.
SUNFLOWER FARM
We absolutely love Sunflower Farm, and all of the work that they are doing to educate children in our community on where their food comes from. They foster joy for so many in our area. We are excited to see how they continue to grow in thoughtful ways.
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