One of the most coveted recognitions in the Sonoma County food world isn’t a Michelin star or rave critical review — it’s the Snail of Approval. Awarded by two local chapters of the Slow Food organization — Russian River and Sonoma County North — it is handed out annually to restaurants, food producers and farms that honor the practice of making good, clean and fair food for all people.
The criteria for receiving the award are many, requiring multiple visits from Slow Food officials who assess aspects of the business like its sustainability, ethical sourcing, environmental impacts, cultural connections and community involvement.
There already are a number of local restaurants and food producers who, in addition to the 2024 winners, have received the Snail of Approval, including Psychic Pie in Sebastopol, Americana in Santa Rosa, Tilted Shed Ciderworks in Windsor and COOKIE…take a bite! in Santa Rosa. (See the full list at slowfoodsonomacountynorth.org)


Here are the 2024 Snail of Approval winners:
Nightingale Breads: 6665 Front St., Forestville, 707-887-8887, nightingalebreads.com
Altamont General Store: 3703 Main St., Occidental, 707-874-6053, altamontgeneralstore.com
Goodness Gracious Catering: 14301 Arnold Drive, Suite 3, Glen Ellen, 707-343-1308, goodnessgraciouseats.com
PizzaLeah: 9240 Old Redwood Highway, Suite 116, Windsor, 707-620-0551, pizzaleah.com

Troubadour Bread and Bistro: 381 Healdsburg Ave., Healdsburg, 707-756-3972, troubadourhbg.com
Sarmentine French Bakery: 52 Mission Circle, Suite 112, Santa Rosa; 840 Petaluma Blvd. North, Petaluma; 6760 McKinley St., Suite 150, Sebastopol; 707-623-9595; sarmentine.com
Maison Porcella: 8499 Old Redwood Highway, Suite 114, Windsor, 707-955-5611, maisonporcella.com
Belfare: 1410 S. McDowell Blvd., Suite D, Petaluma, 707-774-6029, belfaresonoma.com
Green Grocer: Ten weekly farmers market locations. Details at Instagram.com/greengrocerpopup
Golden State Pickle Works: Available at Oliver’s, the Friday Sonoma Valley Farmers Market and the Saturday Napa Farmers Market. 510-717-7484, goldenstatepickleworks.com


Lala’s Jam Bar: 720 E. Washington St., Petaluma, 707-773-1083, lalasjams.com
Woodlands Charcuterie: Multiple farmers markets locations weekly. Details at woodlandscharcuterie.com
Planetary Potato Chips: Available at local markets like Jupiter Foods and Fishetarian. 707-837-8113, planetarychips.com
Showa Farm: 1126 Highland Ranch Road, Cloverdale, 301-675-7741, showa-farm.com
Kibo Farm in conjunction with Belden Barns: 5561 Sonoma Mountain Road, Santa Rosa, 415-577-8552, kibosonoma.com and beldenbarns.com
Marin Coast Ranch: 900 Cerini Road, Tomales, marincoastranch.com
An awards ceremony for the 2024 winners will be held from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., Feb. 19, at the Sebastopol Grange.
You can reach Dining Editor Heather Irwin at heather.irwin@pressdemocrat.com. Follow Heather on Instagram @biteclubeats.