A burrito with integrity
by Kathleen Sprouse, posted Sept. 13, 2007
Chipotle Mexican Grill donated $50,000 to Farm Aid on Aug. 29, 2007. The sales from Chipotle’s naturally raised chicken, pork and beef were donated to raise awareness about Farm Aid, a nonprofit organization that helps keep small farmers on their land.
Chipotle’s “Food with Integrity” program works to provide its customers with natural and organic food, starting with their vegetarian-fed pork without antibiotics or hormones from the small, organic farm, Niman Ranch. Niman Ranch includes more than 500 independent American family farmers dedicated to producing great flavor using only natural methods.
This year, Chipotle has continued its effort by buying organic beans, and currently half of its chicken and a third of its beef is organic.
"The focus on our vision is as sharp as it has ever been and we remain disciplined in pursuing each new step in this journey," said Steve Ells, Chipotle’s founder, chairman and CEO, on Chipotle’s Web site. "We're proud that we've been able to build a supply chain for these superior ingredients, but we recognize that providing ‘Food with Integrity’ is a journey, a process of constantly looking to make better choices about the food we serve, and we're committed to doing just that."
Since the 1980s, family farms have slowly been replaced by CAFOs, confined animal feeding operations, and factory farms. Not only is the American countryside changing, the meat is changing, too. With the addition of more CAFOs come more antibiotics and hormones. The livestock are overcrowded and confined in small pins, creating unhealthy living conditions for the animals. Family farms work hard to provide their livestock with generous land to graze on and to resist the use of hormones and antibiotics, according to Chipotle’s Web site.
MU students might not know about Chipotle’s contribution to small operation farmers by buying organic food, but they appreciate the taste.
“I love Chipotle!” said Wes Stephens, an MU graduate student. “It’s healthy because nothing is artificial. It just tastes better. I think it’s the quality of the beef.”
Garrett Haas, an employee at Chipotle, said some students feel the restaurant’s food is overpriced, but he explains to them it is because of the organic meat.
Sophomore Dave Timm thinks one gets “a lot of food for the money.” Although he didn’t know the meat was organic, Chipotle is his favorite place to get Mexican food in Columbia.
Farm Aid was started by Willie Nelson, who has helped raise more than $30 million to keep families on their land and promote their food. Farm Aid sponsors annual concerts and produces informative mail, TV and radio advertisements. Its “Good Food Movement” works for farmers and demands family farm products that are organic and local. Farmers across America are supported by Farm Aid, and thanks to Chipotle more farmers can be helped.
Visit the Farm Aid or Chipotle Web sites to learn more.
